Arizona Preseason Power Rankings: 1A–3A

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cicero</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Great Hearts Anthem</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North Phoenix Prep</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>El Captain</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Fort Thomas</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mogollon</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Gregory School</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. David</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Patagonia Union</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Williams</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cicero Prep</strong> remains the team to beat entering the 2026 season. The three-time defending state champions sit at No. 1 in our preseason rankings, and with a senior-heavy group leading the way, the Centurions have the experience to make a push for four straight. <strong>Great Hearts Anthem</strong> earns the No. 2 spot after an impressive run to last year's state championship match, where the Eagles became one of the teams able to take a set from Cicero before falling in four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is plenty of intrigue right behind them. <strong>North Phoenix Prep</strong> comes in at No. 3 after reaching last year's state semifinals and taking Anthem to five sets, while No. 4 <strong>El Capitan</strong> also made a semifinal appearance and managed to take a set from Cicero. <strong>Fort Thomas</strong> rounds out our top five, followed by <strong>Mogollon, The Gregory School, St. David, Patagonia Union, and Williams</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cicero has earned the right to start on top, but 1A showed plenty of depth during last year's postseason. With several familiar programs returning to our preseason top 10, the question is whether anyone can finally knock the three-time champs off the throne.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 4 Prediction:</strong> Cicero, Great Hearts Anthem, North Phoenix Prep, and El Captain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Champion Prediction: </strong>Cicero</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>San Tan Charter</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Scottsdale Christian </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Trivium Prep</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Phoenix Country Day </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North Valley Christian </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Round Valley </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Kingman </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Horizon Honors</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Camp Verde</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rancho Solano</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This preseason, we're giving <strong>San Tan Charter</strong> the edge at No. 1. The Roadrunners showed last year that they could compete with the very best in 2A, and with additional transfers joining the program, we believe they have the talent and momentum to take another big step forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They certainly won't have an easy road. Defending champion <strong>Scottsdale Christian</strong> comes in right behind them, while <strong>Trivium Prep</strong> and <strong>Phoenix Country Day</strong> are programs we expect to return with strong groups once again. <strong>North Valley Christian</strong> also can't be overlooked after reaching last year's title match. Round Valley, Kingman, Horizon Honors, Camp Verde, and Rancho Solano round out a preseason group with plenty of potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> We are always excited to watch 2A unfold. The margins in 2A are small, the contenders are plentiful, and it wouldn't be surprising to see these rankings change quite a bit as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 4 Prediction:</strong> San Tan Charter, Scottsdale Christian, Trivium Prep, and Phoenix Country Day</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Champion Prediction: </strong>San Tan Charter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Valley Christian</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gilbert Christian </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Northwest Christian</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Snowflake</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Thatcher</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Payson</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Florence</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Yuma Catholic</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Monument Valley</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Show Low</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley Christian</strong> remains our team to beat in 3A. The defending state champions return a strong senior group with plenty of experience, and after sweeping Northwest Christian in last year's title match, we believe the Trojans have what it takes to find themselves right back in the mix at the end of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the road back won't be easy. <strong>Gilbert Christian</strong> proved last season that this is a program that simply cannot be overlooked. The Guardians reached the state quarterfinals, and this is a program that continues to get stronger year after year. <strong>Snowflake</strong> and <strong>Northwest Christian</strong> will also be major factors. Gilbert Christian pushed Valley Christian all the way to five sets in last year's semifinal, while NCS reached the state championship match, but did loose some key seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We still predict Valley Christian will be there when everything is on the line, but getting through Snowflake, Gilbert Christian, Northwest Christian and the rest of this 3A field will be no easy task. This division has some serious depth, and we expect the battle at the top to be a good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final 4 Prediction:</strong> Valley Christian, Gilbert Christian, Northwest Christian, and Snowflake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Champion Prediction: </strong>Valley Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The school season is just getting started, and we can't wait to continue following Arizona athletes and programs throughout the fall! Make sure your <strong>Prep Dig profile is updated</strong> with your current school, position, height, graduation year, and any other important information so our scouts have the most accurate information when evaluating and writing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Want to stay on our radar this season? <strong>Tag us in your highlights, match schedules, big performances, milestones, and anything else you want us to see.</strong> We want to know where you're playing and how your season is going!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow <strong>Prep Dig Arizona and our Arizona scouts on Instagram</strong> for even more coverage:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>🏐 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigarizona/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">@PrepDigArizona</a><br>📸 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coachmarissamorah/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">@CoachMarissaMorah</a><br>📸 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdiganthony/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">@PrepDigAnthony</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep working, keep competing, and <strong>keep us updated throughout the school season.</strong> We can't wait to see who makes their mark this fall!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->