5A Southern League – Two Top Ten Matchups to Watch TODAY

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the season draws to a close, we have some exciting top-ten matchups that could impact the rankings and playoff seeds for several teams set for today. Learn more about each team and their standout players in tonight's games below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/10/vote-who-will-be-crowned-the-5a-north-and-south-state-champions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>RELATED: Who will win the 5A state title? Click Here to Vote</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Coronado at #10 Liberty @&nbsp;6 pm</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rivalry between Henderson, NV teams Coronado and Liberty is always a thrilling matchup to watch! This will be their third encounter this season, with each team having won one match. Liberty's victory in their first matchup took place during the 9th Island Classic tournament, so it didn't impact Coronado's league record. In their regular-season clash, Coronado swept Liberty in three straight sets, at Liberty, which did affect league records. This time around, the match will be hosted at Coronado, where the Cougars are currently 5-0. Stats indicate that Coronado should come out on top, especially considering they haven't dropped a set since October 1. However, the outcome could easily swing either way depending on the momentum. As this will be Liberty's final game of the season, they will likely be eager to go out with a bang.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liberty 4-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OH [player_tooltip player_id='538593' first='Myla' last='Matavao'] (140 kills, 165 digs, 29 aces, 26 blocks) is the total package; she's a top hitter, passer, and server for Liberty. You can always count on her to give her all in every game. Middles [player_tooltip player_id='538199' first='Janae' last='Dunaway'] (70 kills, 55 blocks) and [player_tooltip player_id='525194' first='Kennedy' last='Cooper'] (89 kills, 52 blocks) consistently deliver, racking up kills and blocks game in and game out. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='733132' first='Maia' last='Greer'] (118 kills, 57 blocks) has been a breakout star this season on the right side, using her left-arm swing to hit right past blockers and collect blocks. Kahlia Maivia (120 digs, 36 aces) has one of the best serves in Nevada, and her passing has been phenomenal this season. Her hustle and crucial saves are part of the reason they beat Coronado the first time. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='543148' first='Ellie' last='Rosenbaugh'] (211 assists, 30 aces, 79 digs) has been very precise this season, helping her hitters get several opportunities to score. Other top talents include [player_tooltip player_id='543093' first='Addison' last='Bohnet'] (163 assists, 21 aces), [player_tooltip player_id='543110' first='Addison' last='Jones'] (119 assists, 70 digs, 35 kills, 12 aces), Aryanna Paredes (119 digs, 39 assists), and Mahana Connor (98 kills, 26 blocks, 51 digs).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coronado 8-0&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standout outside hitters include UNLV commit [player_tooltip player_id='550487' first='Julie' last='Beckham'] (214 kills, 123 digs, 14 aces) and [player_tooltip player_id='525323' first='Gentry' last='Oblad'] (156 kills, 111 digs, 25 aces), both of whom play all six rotations and have excelled in their overall performance on the front and back row. In the middle, Hawaii commit [player_tooltip player_id='543103' first='Rachel' last='Purser'] (150 kills, .326 hitting percentage, 34 aces, 35 blocks) and [player_tooltip player_id='543091' first='Hannah' last='Wayment'] (93 kills, 27 blocks, .317 hitting percentage) have been on fire, leading the team in hitting percentage and blocking. Senior setter and UC-Riverside commit [player_tooltip player_id='221014' first='Rachel' last='Schwartz'] (520 assists, 100 digs, 39 aces, 26 kills) has been delivering precise sets that make it easier for hitters to score, while also executing sneaky dumps to end long rallies or catch the defense off guard. Senior libero, [player_tooltip player_id='548336' first='Reagan' last='Vint'] (166 digs, 18 aces, 36 assists) has been delivering dime passes to the setter all season long and contributing to out-of-system plays to set up impressive scoring opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Team Stat Comparison</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Category</strong></td><td><strong>Liberty</strong></td><td><strong>Coronado</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Kills</strong></td><td>595</td><td>659</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Total Blocks</strong></td><td>173</td><td>82</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Serving Aces</strong></td><td>174</td><td>172</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Digs</strong></td><td>776</td><td>671</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Assists</strong></td><td>553</td><td>600</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Receptions</strong></td><td>795</td><td>807</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Stats per Maxpreps.com</em> 10/21/2024</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#6 Sierra Vista at #1 Bishop Gorman @&nbsp;6 pm</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sierra Vista has been in the top ten all season and is among the most talented teams in Nevada. Their roster features a skilled group of seniors, all highly ranked in the state. Although they've encountered a few losses, they've secured enough wins in league play to clinch a playoff spot. However, they dropped their first match against Bishop Gorman at home. This time, the odds favor Bishop Gorman, who will have the advantage of playing on their home court as they aim to finish the season undefeated. Gorman has already secured the No. 1 seed in the 5A Desert League playoffs and is a favorite to win the 5A state title for the second consecutive year. Three returners from their championship team are leading the state and ranked highly in multiple categories. Gorman hasn't dropped a single set against a Nevada team this season, but Sierra Vista has enough firepower to push them beyond three sets and put up a strong fight for the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sierra Vista 6-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='551875' first='Ariella' last='Maika'] (393 kills, 205 digs, 42 aces, .307 hitting %) has been on her A-game all season, dominating in all areas—passing, hitting, and serving. Middle blockers [player_tooltip player_id='586537' first='Arae'ya' last='Pearson'] (115 kills, 59 blocks) always bring the energy, while Kenna Key (79 kills, 36 digs) has also made significant contributions in the middle. Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='543153' first='Angelina' last='DeGrange'] (672 assists, 194 digs, 43 aces) has done an excellent job feeding her hot hitters and playing solid defense in the back row. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='759108' first='Sydney' last='Guerrero'] (216 digs, 66 aces, 42 assists) is one of Nevada's top servers and has been putting in great effort on the back row with her passing and out-of-system setting. Other key players include [player_tooltip player_id='571996' first='Naomi' last='Deckard'] (126 kills, 29 blocks), who has racked up a significant number of kills for the team, and [player_tooltip player_id='540919' first='Danica' last='Macaalay'] (118 digs, 27 aces), who has been digging some of the toughest hitters and delivering key serve-receive passes to set up scoring plays.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Gorman 10-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pitt commit [player_tooltip player_id='203840' first='Ayanna' last='Watson'] (.539 hitting %, 568 kills, 241 digs) has the sixth-highest hitting percentage in the nation and leads Nevada in total kills. She's also right behind the libero in total digs for the team. Ayanna is having another all-star season, alongside fellow Pitt commit [player_tooltip player_id='325888' first='Trinity' last='Thompson'] (.961 assists, 220 digs, 27 aces), who currently leads Nevada in total assists thanks to her great decision-making skills when setting her hitters. They are scoring more because of where she places the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='528417' first='Aliana' last='Breitling'] (92 kills, 43 blocks) has recently switched to the middle position, where she runs a great quick set and picks up some blocks. [player_tooltip player_id='543140' first='Ellie' last='Prindl'] (93 kills, 45 blocks) has also racked up a significant number of blocks, while freshman [player_tooltip player_id='543916' first='Boyana' last='Pesic'] (99 kills, 32 blocks, 165 digs) has been impressive on both offense and defense. UNLV commit [player_tooltip player_id='543087' first='Brooklynn' last='Williams'] (.331 hitting %, 230 kills, 178 digs) recently transitioned from middle to outside hitter, where she is excelling and has more opportunities to play in the back row than she would if she were still in the middle. [player_tooltip player_id='525374' first='Chloe' last='Lopez'] (294 digs, 61 assists, 34 aces) is killing it as libero, giving her all on the court, digging up balls from some of the best hitters in the nation, and racking up aces and out-of-system assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Team Stat Comparison</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Category</strong></td><td><strong>Sierra Vista</strong></td><td><strong>Bishop Gorman</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Kills</strong></td><td>905</td><td>1180</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Total Blocks</strong></td><td>147</td><td>112</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Serving Aces</strong></td><td>275</td><td>192</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Digs</strong></td><td>992</td><td>1265</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Assists</strong></td><td>791</td><td>1111</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Receptions</strong></td><td>1416</td><td>1199</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Good Luck to all teams playing today! See ya in the playoffs!</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Four Ways To Gain Exposure with Prepdig</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Create/Claim your&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">Free Player Profile</a></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Attend our upcoming Top 250 Showcase. Use Code: Bryantexpo2024 to get a discount.&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/1291/register/nevada-top-250-expo">Register Here</a></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Follow/Tag us in your videos on Instagram and Twitter (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdignv">@prepdignv</a>)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to Prepdig+</a>. 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