5A Volleyball Notebook: Horizon Dynasty back for more
September 9, 2024 by Ben Stapley, AZPreps365
Arizona's reigning Gatorade player of the year Teraya Sigler is back for one more year with the Huskies.
Does that mean a fourth straight title is on the Horizon?
Lame pun notwhitstanding, Horizon's volleyball program is in top form, and the Huskies have the talent and coaching to make a run. Another ring in 2024 would mean a four-peat and the school's ninth volleyball title since 2000.
"I don't want to jinx anything but the outlook is good for this season," second year coach McKenna Skaggs admits. I have many returners who were on our state championship teams the last two years. Our biggest goal is to win state again, but first we would like to win our region."
The Huskies have talent and experience all over the court. Sigler, who is committed to Nebraska, has already showcased her powerful offensive attack with 58 kills in just four games.
Sigler may not reach the impressive total of 614 kills from 2023, but she might not need to, with the junior Sienna Markovich, who finished with 214 kills as a sophomore last season.
Defensively, the Huskies will rely on senior Libero Ava Lambert and middle blockers Olivia Kauffman and Sophia Gilbert, both sophomores.
While Horizon deserves the nod as the 5A favorites, don't expect region rival Notre Dame to roll out the red carpet in the East Sky Region.
Notre Dame
Coach Skaggs and Horizon probably have the right idea about taking care of the East Sky region before worrying about the 5A playoffs. Rival Notre Dame is off to a great start, winning 10 of its first 12 games under new coach Alexandra Svorinic.
Notre Dame is coming off a successful campaign in which the Saints won 29 matches before falling to to Millennium After losing Evan Hendrix and her 509 kills to graduation and Texas Christian, Notre Dame may have fallen of the radar for some. But its already turning heads in this young season.
The Saints' offense has already seen big contrinutions from sophomores Luzy Solorzano and Roie Van Devander, who've copmbined for 80 kills. Senior Payton Palaceck has added 32 kills to give Notre Dame offensive balance.
Campo Verde
The Coyotes are hoping to build on last year's 20-20 record.
"This season our team goal is to compete in each match with a team-oriented mindset and focus" coach Tayler Bader-Peterson says of the '24 season, where Campo Verde jumps over to the East Sky region from the 5A San Tan. "With our section being revamped, we look forward to the new competition we have the opportunity to play against," Bader-Peterseon.
Campo Verde returns its top offensive attacker in junior outside hitter Morgan Meyer, who finisghed with 312 kills last season. Senior middle blockers Allison Pivonka and Emma Hildwine combined for 118 blocks last year. Pivonka is committed to Ottawa University. The Coyotes will get more defensive help from transfer and middle blocker Campbell Hollister, who will miss the first half of the season after coming over from HIghland.