Play-in Recap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playoff season is here! We are excited to get out and cover the state playoffs and see who can raise the trophy at the end of the season. That process started on Tuesday where we began the conference play in matches. We saw a few upsets between 2A-6A, and a lot of close matches! Let's dive into some matches we saw and recap as we head into the bracket show later today for the full brackets! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6A went pretty chalk as expected, 6 of the 8 matches went 3-0 and to the higher seed. Only two matches went 4 or 5 and only one lower seed won. Sunnyslope pulled off the upset over Desert Vista in a dramatic 5 set match! This was their 3rd match up this season and they were 1-1 on the season so you knew this match was going to have all the drama. Sunnyslope won the 5th set 15-13 to secure their berth into the round of 16. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One player who stood out for the 6A play in matches:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["805712"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aeba82cb9f65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hayes had a great performance in the five-set matchup and proved to be a major offensive weapon for Sunnyslope. She was counted on to do a lot at the net, not only providing a consistent presence offensively but also playing a big role in slowing down and shutting down Desert Vista's pin hitters. She had an outstanding regular season, and this was another example of how much she can impact a match on both sides of the net. Hayes surpassed her season averages in both kills per set and blocks per set in the first-round matchup, showing just how much she can elevate her game when her team needs it most. Sunnyslope will need more performances like this if they hope to make a run in the postseason, especially as they prepare to face Perry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5A also had minimal drama when it came to the match ups as 6 of the 8 higher seeds won their match up as well, but we had two matches that gave us one big upset and another that was a tight 5 setter that went wire to wire. First, the big upset of the play in was Catalina Foothills beating Buena 3-0, they went in with a game play and seemed to execute it perfectly to pull off the upset! Their reward is the number 1 seed on Thursday, so hopefully they can pull off some more magic in the coming days! The other big match was a 5 setter between McClintock and Buckeye that went the distance. McClintock had a great regular season and play a great game to get the W against a very underrated Buckeye team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One player who stood out for the 5A play in matches:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060532"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aeb88cb1a8d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kaia has been a consistent contributor throughout the regular season, but she really elevated her game when her team needed her most in the postseason matchup. She was outstanding defensively, doing a great job of shutting down multiple hitters and making her presence felt at the net with several key blocks. One of the biggest moments of the match came in the fourth set, when Kaia chased down a ball and nearly dove into the bleachers to keep the play alive. It was an incredible hustle play that not only kept her team in the rally but also provided a huge momentum boost as they pushed to close out the match. During the regular season, Kaia averaged just over a kill per set and around one block per match, but she surpassed those numbers in the playoff matchup, particularly with her blocking production. Centennial has Horizon in the 1st round and she will need to repeat this performance for Centennial to get the W.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another bracket that saw most of the favorites win their match up, 7 of the 8 higher seeds won their match up but one upset happened with Poston Butte pulling off the 5 set win over Estrella Foothills. They had a match that was back and forth and had that thrilling 5th set where the final was 16-14. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One player who stood out for the 4A play in matches:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["518443"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aeb88cb1a912"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Riley had a great performance in Arcadia's 3-0 win over Lee Williams last night, helping her team get off to a strong start in the postseason. As one of Arcadia's top offensive weapons, Riley is someone the team will continue to rely on to generate points and provide a consistent scoring threat throughout each set. She averaged around 2.6 kills per set during the regular season, but stepped up her production in the play-in matchup, recording more kills per set while also hitting at a significantly higher efficiency. That combination of increased volume and efficiency is exactly what Arcadia will need from her as the competition gets tougher. The postseason requires another level of consistency, confidence, and execution, and Riley will need to continue bringing that extra gear if Arcadia hopes to make a run. She faces a challenging matchup in the next round as the Titans head south to take on Sahuarita.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3A had the most anti-climatic play-ins for day one, every higher seed won their match and 7 of the 8 match ups went 3-0. 3A is pretty balanced in the middle seeds so I would expect some more drama in the 1st round of the playoffs when they happen on Thursday! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One player who stood out for the 3A play in matches:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060510"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aeb88cb1a936"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eden had a great performance for Ben Franklin in their play-in matchup against Window Rock, continuing to show why she has been such an important piece of this team all season. As Ben Franklin's leading kill producer, Eden has been a consistent offensive threat and once again delivered the type of production her team needs from her in a postseason setting. What makes her especially valuable is her ability to impact the game in multiple ways. She is a go to option offensively who can carry a significant portion of the scoring load, but she also brings a physical presence at the net that can change the way opposing teams attack. he challenge gets tougher in the first round as they prepare to take on Snowflake, but Eden has shown throughout the regular season and in the play-in matchup that she is capable of rising to the occasion. If she can continue to produce offensively while making her presence felt defensively, she gives Ben Franklin a legitimate opportunity to compete and potentially pull off an upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2A always has some match ups when the play-in rolls around! 5 of their 8 match ups went 4 or 5 sets and they had 2 upsets when it came to the lower seed winning their match up. Wilcox had the big upset of the night winning their match up as the 20th seed over the 13th seed in Camp Verde. We had another 5 setter as well with Round Valley holding off Kingman Academy in their 5 set match up. Both the 1st round and the quarterfinals are on Saturday at Millennium and we will be there to watch some of the games! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One player who stood out for the 2A play in matches:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888824"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aeb88cb1a955"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Aleena has had a great regular season and is a do it all type of person for Trivium. She led the team in both assists and aces while also finishing second in digs, showing just how much she contributes in every phase of the game. She is the full package at the setter position, bringing the ability to run an offense, make smart decisions with the ball, contribute defensively, and put pressure on opponents from the service line. She continued to build on that throughout the play-in matchup against Parker, exceeding her already impressive regular-season production while guiding Trivium's offense through a highly efficient performance. She also made an impact on the scoreboard herself with her serving, giving her team another way to generate points and build momentum. That versatility will be especially important as Trivium heads into Saturday's playoff matchup against a tough Chandler Prep team if they want to pull off the upset! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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 --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Want to get on our radar? Register for our upcoming Exposure tour <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2499/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-arizona">here.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->