State Finals Preview (Predictions and Players to Watch)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season is officially at an end, we have reach the pinnacle of the high school season and are excited for the matches we get to watch tomorrow! We have 5 state championship matches tomorrow from 10am to 7pm, so if you don't have plans tomorrow you can see all 5 matches in one place! We want to congratulate all teams on a great season, and good luck to the 10 teams playing tomorrow. Today, we are going to jump into a preview of the finals and a player or two to watch in each match!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2A: Phoenix Country Day vs Scottsdale Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The number 1 vs number 2 seeds are meeting in the finals. We kind of were destined for this match up throughout the season as these two teams were always at the top of the rankings and beating some high quality teams throughout the season. Both teams have plenty of offensive firepower, and this matchup could come down to which team is able to execute defensively and limit the opposing team's biggest weapons. Scottsdale Christian has been led by [player_tooltip player_id='806073' first='Kaya' last='Olafson'], who recorded 415 kills during the regular season and has continued her dominant play into the postseason with 37 kills while hitting over .400 through the first two rounds. Phoenix Country Day, meanwhile, has a more balanced offensive attack, led by [player_tooltip player_id='806295' first='Layla' last='Jarvis'], who finished the regular season with 164 kills, and [player_tooltip player_id='826562' first='Jodie' last='Jones'], who provides a major presence at the net with her combination of offensive production and blocking ability. The match will probably come down to who can execute somewhere besides the outside, both teams have great outside hitters and they will get their points but whoever can get offensive production from their other positions will have a distinct advantage as the matches goes one. They played earlier this season with PCDS getting a 3-0 sweep, but SCA has been on another level the last few weeks and in the playoffs. I think this goes the full 5 sets and SCA gets the win as they just have more top end weapons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: SCA 3 PCDS 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3A: Valley Christian vs Gilbert Christian </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another 1 vs 2 match up and another rematch from earlier this season, Gilbert Christian gets to play Valley Christian who is also seeking their third straight state title. Their isn't a shortage of top end talent in this match up as both teams have multiple college commits and top 100 players from our rankings. The player to watch in this match has got to be Gilbert Christians [player_tooltip player_id='889790' first='Lillie' last='Duitsman'] as all season she has been one of the most dominant offensive players in Arizona, Duitsman has recorded 413 kills this season while hitting .364 and averaging 5.2 kills per set. She was especially impressive in the semifinal against Snowflake, recording 27 kills and 10 digs to get GC to the finals. On the other side of the court, VC has their own offensive and defensive weapon in [player_tooltip player_id='784641' first='Sadie' last='Wahlin']. Sadie has been a dominant presence at the net all season, recording 254 kills and 107 blocks while hitting an impressive .491. She gives Valley Christian a highly efficient scoring option in the middle and will be important in both slowing down Duitsman and creating offense of her own. Overall both these teams have the talent to win this match, the experience of VC being in multiple finals in a row would normally pay more dividends but GC has been on another level all season, we think they pull out a tight one but should be one heck of a match. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: Gilbert Christian 3 Valley Christian 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4A: Ironwood Ridge vs Mica Mountain</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A all southern AZ battle as two Tucson schools are making drives up for the finals and both programs are chasing their first state championship. The storyline in this match up will be how Ironwood Ridge is led by a powerful pin combination, while Mica Mountain has one of the most dynamic offensive players in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='877240' first='Aubrey' last='Necas']. Ironwood Ridge's [player_tooltip player_id='749268' first='Ashlyn' last='Quiri'] has been one of the most productive offensive players in Arizona this season, and she was outstanding in the semifinal against Cactus, recording 25 kills and 10 digs in the 3-1 victory and should bring a similar stat line to the finals. The other half of that duo is [player_tooltip player_id='833602' first='Kallie' last='George'] as she entered the postseason with 407 kills, averaging 4.2 kills per set, while also contributing 2.5 digs per set. Having two outside hitters capable of producing at a high level makes the Nighthawks particularly difficult to defend, and George's production could be a major difference-maker as you have two big time options. Mica Mountain Necas has recorded 467 kills this season while hitting .330 and averaging 5.0 kills per set. She was spectacular in the semifinal against Saguaro, recording 25 kills. Her ability to take over offensively, especially in pressure situations, gives Mica Mountain a legitimate chance to compete with anyone. She will need another big performance against an Ironwood Ridge team that has already beaten the Thunderbolts twice this season. The only problem will be that she needs help, and if she isn't getting offensive help from anywhere else it will be hard to continue this success against Ironwood Ridge. Although this should have some of the best pin hitters in the state playing each other, Ironwood Ridge should get the W in a fun match to watch as they have more depth across the board. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: Ironwood Ridge 3 Mica Mountain 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A: Notre Dame Prep vs Chaparral</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A region match up in the state finals, this region featured 3 semi final teams, and both teams appearing in the state finals. Let's start with the #1 ranked Notre Dame team, as they have a number of talented players including [player_tooltip player_id='835096' first='Lucy' last='Solorzano'] who has been a major part of their success, leading the team with 301 kills while averaging 3.7 kills per set. [player_tooltip player_id='885092' first='Elizabeth' last='Hackleman'] has provided another major offensive option and was named POY for the region, while sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='935405' first='Sylvie' last='Solorzano'] continues to help keep the Saints' balanced offense running. Chaparral, meanwhile, is looking to defend its 2025 state championship and capture back to back titles. The Firebirds have been led by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='883367' first='Sarah' last='Hodgson'], who has recorded 297 kills and 317 assists this season, making her one of the most versatile players in 5A. Chaparral also gets major contributions from [player_tooltip player_id='962832' first='Morgan' last='Thorne'] who has added 199 kills, and Kendal Kuchipudi who leads the team with 99 blocks. This game is going to be a great one, but Notre Dame has won both match ups to this point, and we don't see that changing tomorrow as they just have a bit more depth and can get scoring from anywhere.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: NDP 3 Chaparral 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6A: Sandra Day O'Connor vs Highland</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With one of the more impressive upsets we have seen, Highland swept Perry in the semi-finals to get a spot in the finals against SDO, which had their own impressive win against Xavier. Sandra Day is led by outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='808453' first='Berkley' last='France'] and [player_tooltip player_id='888556' first='Alayah' last='Krein'], who have combined for more than 600 kills this season, giving setter [player_tooltip player_id='888725' first='London' last='Clark'] plenty of offensive options. Clark has been outstanding running the offense, accumulating 975 assists while also contributing 258 digs. On the other side, Highalnd has been equally impressive on its road to the championship behind a powerful pin combination of [player_tooltip player_id='877226' first='Lila' last='Ellsworth'] and [player_tooltip player_id='523986' first='Isabella' last='Stojkovic']. Ellsworth leads the Hawks with 375 kills, while Stojkovic has added another 366, making them one of the most productive outside-hitting combinations in the division. Highland also has a strong option in [player_tooltip player_id='834083' first='Kendyl' last='Maxwell'], who has recorded 218 kills while hitting .333. There will be no shortage of offense in this game as the swings will be flying in this match. Highland has surprised us all this season by reaching this last game, and part of me feels I should take them as I have doubted them too much... however Sandra Day has been the team to beat all season so lets ride them in the final. I think this match up will be a great one to end the day as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: Sandra Day O'Connor 3 Highland 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The school season is just about to be done, and we can't wait to continue following Arizona athletes and programs throughout the winter and into the spring! 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 and as you head into club.</strong> We can't wait to see who makes their mark this winter and spring!</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 -->