The return of two divisions and hence two sets of state champions highlight the first week of badminton's postseason Friday (Oct. 21) and Saturday (Oct. 22) at Independence High School.

This week focuses on crowning singles and doubles champs in Division I and Division II. The last time badminton playoffs housed two divisions was in 2010. Initial rounds begin Friday at 10 a.m. with final rounds on Saturday also starting at 10 a.m.

Last year's singles and doubles champions graduated meaning new champs are on the way. Top singles players back from last year's tournament are Skyline's Denise Nieves, the No. 1 singles seed. Mountain Ridge's Mackenzie Whitten, singles No. 2 seed and Chandler's Alexis Mee, singles No. 3 seed. They were quarterfinalists last year.

Camp Verde's Lauren Rusk was a quarterfinalist last year, but she'll compete in D-II this year and is the No. 4 singles seed. Xavier Prep returns a couple quarterfinalists who competed in doubles last year -- Emily Woodrow and Tatum Clark. Woodrow's new partner is Kiana Valentova-MacDonald and they are seeded No. 1 in D-I. Woodrow is the only player returing to place last year. She was part of the fouth-place doubles team. Clark is teamed with Annie Kamps and they are seeded No. 6. Sunnyslope's Aimee Clifford is the No. .2 singles seed in D-II. She competed on a D-I quarterfinal doubles team last year.

Here are the top-8 seeds for singles and doubles in both divisions:

DIVISION I

Singles: 1. Denise Nieves, Skyline. 2. MacKenzie Whitten, Mtn. Ridge. 3. Alexis Mee, Chandler. 4. Maya Shikanti, Desert Mountain. 5. Riya Karla, Corona del Sol. 6. Sidney Nguyen, Sandra Day O'Connor. 7. Sonia Velu, Desert Vista. 8. Abby Mann, Red Mountain. Doubles: 1. Kiana Valentova-MacDonald-Emily Woodrow, Xavier. 2. Jillian Lagasca-Katie Cross, Perry. 3. Amber Beeney-Ashley Church, Mtn.  View. 4. Lana Le-Maggie Trias, Skyline. 5.Dominique Garcia-Tori Albin, Perry. 6. Tatum Clarke-Annie Kamps, Xavier. 7. Aarzoo Kumar-Marina Mehling, Desert Vista. 8.Alliison Price-Hannah Kirby, Mtn. Ridge.

 

DIVISION II

Singles: 1. Natalie Weber, Mesquite. 2. Aimee Clifford, Sunnyslope. 3. San Bracken, Chaparral. 4. Lauren Rusk, Campo Verde. 5. Jasmine Morales, Ironwood. 6. Bindi Darjee, Washington. 7. Breanna Barker, North Canyon. 8. Jovana Kuvac, Deer Valley. Doubles: 1. Kelsey Decker-Isabel Holloway, Mesquite; 2. Katie McNelly-Elizabeth Havrilla, Ironwood; 3. Justine Gardner-Revecca Farias, Mesquite. 4. Cierrah Hernandez-Deja Kennedy, Independence; 5. Bria Dominguez-Nicole Rearick, Greenway. 6. Abbie McRae-Alyssa Ward, Liberty; 7. Sienna Case-Riley Chaisson, Sunnyslope. 8. Katherine Luo-Jerikah Davis, Chaparral.