Conference Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are about a quarter of the way through the season, so we wanted to take a chance to update our preseason rankings after being able to watch a lot of volleyball and tournaments throughout the first few weeks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the updated rankings for each conference and it was voted on by Prepdig scouts and writers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6A Conference&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Xaiver</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Corona Del Sol</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sandra Day O'Connor</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sunnyslope</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hamilton</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Casteel</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Highland</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Desert Vista</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Perry</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Millenium</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dropped out: Liberty</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6A bloodbath continues as we are 1Q of the way through the season. We feel pretty confident that Xaiver is in a class of their own and has demonstrated that night in and night out and by winning the Westwood tournament. Our one newcomer to the rankings is Desert Vista who currently sits at 6-2 with impressive wins over Perry and Pinnacle. We do think this list is going to change even more drastically in the coming weeks with multiple top 10 matches coming about.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key numbers and stats:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='502333' first='Hayden' last='Conner'] leads the conference with an impressive .508 hitting percentage</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='886814' first='Saydie' last='Vega'] leads the conference in total  kills with 147 (3.3 a set)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='520375' first='Fara' last='Bronson'] leads the conference in total assist and Adelyn Chang leads in assist per set with over 10. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='534541' first='Mattea' last='Saunders'] leads the conference in total digs and digs per set with an impressive 6.0 a set for the undefeated Gators.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5A Conference&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Chaparral </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Horizon </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sunrise Mountain</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Notre Dame Prep</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Centennial </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cienega </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Canyon View</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ironwood</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Canyon Del Oro</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Buckeye</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dropped out: Verrado</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5A has been pretty chalk at the top with the original 4 from our preseason rankings still in the top 4. We do see minimal difference between the 4 of them. Looking at the bottom half of the rankings we see a newcomer in Cienega making the top 10 rankings. They are currently undefeated in power point games and have been impressive in their matches. Canyon View, Ironwood have played tough non conference schedules but have shown tremendous potential and are excited to see them continue to develop as the playoffs get closer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key numbers and stats:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Malie Soza from Ironwood leads in digs for the conference at an impressive clip of 7 digs a set. She has been all over the place for the Eagles to begin the season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>ACP has the top 3 in the conference in total blocks with [player_tooltip player_id='877506' first='Reyna' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='878908' first='Emma' last='Caldwell'], and Lexie Hayden leading the charge for them.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Addie Wiemann, [player_tooltip player_id='806892' first='Nia' last='Tinsley'], and Ashley Snyder lead the conference in offense as they all are averaging over 4.5 kills a set.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In setting we see [player_tooltip player_id='874826' first='Ashley' last='Logan'] leading the conference in total kills and Brooklynn McNuty leading in assists per set with over 10.3.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A Conference&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mica Mountain</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Salpointe</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Flagstaff</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>ALA QC</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Estrella Foothills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ironwood Ridge</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cactus Shadows</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mesquite</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Saguaro</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Prescott</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dropped out: Thunderbird</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4A has had themselves a few weeks to start the season. For starters Estrella Foothills falls almost out of the top 5 after a few narrow losses to begin the season. Mica Mountain takes over the top spot as they are undefeated and have done some impressively to begin the season. We would like to shout out Cactus Shadows who is undefeated to begin the season at 7-0 with an impressive reverse sweep of Arcadia to start the week. Newcomer to the rankings is Prescott which recently beat Thunderbird to hop them in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key numbers and stats:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>4A is loaded with offensive weapons, most notably we see [player_tooltip player_id='806213' first='Kristyn' last='Grantham'] leading the conference and state in total kills. [player_tooltip player_id='807367' first='Sophia' last='Frandsen'] leads the conference in kills per set with 4.8.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the more impressive numbers we have seen is Kylie Christiansen leading the conference in assists while being 2nd in digs as well. Doing everything possible for the Eagles. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>ALA QC has the top 2 conference leaders in blocks with [player_tooltip player_id='827123' first='London' last='Wood'] and Shadelle Urling leading the way for the team and conference.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3A Conference</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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>Empire</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Florence</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Snowflake</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Show Low</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Monument Valley</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Seton Catholic</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>ALA West Foothills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dropped out: Odyssey, Ben Franklin, Pusch Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3A has seen the most change with 3 new teams joining the top 10 rankings. However the top 3 remain unchanged as we see those 3 being a full head and shoulders above the rest of the class. Valley Christian and Gilbert Christian lived up to the hype a few weeks ago by going 5 sets in a fantastic match. We love the big jump by Empire into our rankings. They are currently undefeated and have beaten teams in 4A and 5A in route to their undefeated start. One team we have seen live and think can be a dark horse is ALA. They have some talent our west, and if they can string it together in a match they can give some of these top teams a run for their money.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key numbers and stats:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='784641' first='Sadie' last='Wahlin'] is leading the state in hitting percentage with an all time percentage of .586, she also is 1st in the conference in blocks as well. An offensive and defensive juggernaut for Valley Christian.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>We see some great setters in this conference with [player_tooltip player_id='874847' first='Tatum' last='Naber'], [player_tooltip player_id='887201' first='Ansley' last='Venkatesh'], and Brianna Robinson all averaging over 8.0 assist a set. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='552844' first='Sienna' last='Cathey'] leads the conference in kills with 158 at over 4.2 a set.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2A Conference&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Scottsdale Christian</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>PCDS</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Trivium</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>NVCA</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rancho Solano</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Northland Prep</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>San Tan Charter</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Round Valley</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Veritas</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Johns</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dropped out: Horizon Honors, Camp Verde</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2A doesn't see a whole lot of change up top, as we have flipped our number 1 and number 2 teams as Scottsdale Christian remains undefeated in all matches. We like to welcome San Tan Charter and Round Valley to the rankings. Both teams are undefeated and have shown well in their respective tournaments. NVCA had an impressive showing at the small school classic beating PCDS in route to the finals. Northland Prep falls a bit in the rankings but they are battling an injury bug at the moment. We look forward to seeing most teams at the Epic Tourneys tournament this weekend!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key numbers and stats:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Addison Poston leads the state in kills per set with over 5.6 a set for Round Valley.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Hamann family is doing good things for Veritas this year. [player_tooltip player_id='827316' first='Mary' last='Hamann'] leads the conference in total kills with 175 while her younger sister Grace leads the conference in blocks with 35.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='841055' first='Tala' last='Fulgham'] leads the conference in digs per set with 5.2, she is all over the place for the Titans and leading their defense back row night in and night out. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1A Conference&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cicero</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>El Capitan</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North Phoenix Prep</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Patagonia Union</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Basis Flagstaff</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. David</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mogollon</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Fort Thomas</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Anthem Prep</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ash Fork</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dropped out: Joseph City, Desert Heights,&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cicero remains at the top, they have shown the ability to not only beat the top 1A schools but also have competed and beat multiple schools at the 2A level as well. We see the same thing in North Phoenix Prep as they continue their undefeated season with a big win over AZ Lutheran last week. Coming into the rankings undefeated so far are Patagonia Union and Basis Flagstaff. Both these teams have run the gunglat so far and haven't lost a match. They look like they could be contenders this season and look forward to seeing them compete against better teams in the coming weeks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key numbers and stats:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shenoa Skidmore leads the conference in digs, and leads Joseph City which has an impressive 3 of the top 7 in digs for the conference.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Brianna Majalca leads undefeated Patagonia with over 4.2 kills per set which also leads the conference as well. She has been instrumental in leading them to an undefeated start.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Austyn Hatch leads the conference in blocks at a very high number of 1.6 a set. That was one of the top 3 in the whole state for blocks per set.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->