The Republic's Super 10: Girls' Arizona high school volleyball rankings
While football dominates the fall sports landscape, volleyball season has kicked into full gear. Once again, it’s looking like a fairly open season at the top of the state, with any of the teams in the year’s first Super 10 (and a few teams that just missed the cut) having a claim to be the best in the state.
The Republic breaks down those 10 teams:
Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor, 14-0
Not only are the Eagles among three remaining undefeated big schools, but they’ve done so against high-level competition. Among their 14 wins are games against Tempe Corona del Sol, Queen Creek, Gilbert Perry and Gilbert Highland (twice). Strangely, the only team to take a set off O’Connor is 6-12 Mesa Mountain View.
2. Phoenix Xavier Prep, 5-0
Like O’Connor, Xavier Prep hasn’t lost a game this season. And while the Gators opted against the type of early season tournaments that filled O’Connor’s schedule, their wins have been almost as impressive, most notably a 3-0 win over Highland. The addition of 6-foot freshman outside hitter Tessa Larkin has elevated this team.
3. Tempe Corona del Sol, 13-2
The Aztecs had a hectic weekend at the Tournament of Champions hosted by Mesa Westwood, but they came out of it with an impressive nine wins from 10 matches, including three over Super 10 teams. So far, Ben Maxfield’s group does not look like a team that lost two All-Arizona selections from a year ago.
4. Goodyear Millennium, 11-1
Millennium lost one of the state’s most dynamic players in outside hitter Eryn Jones, but the early returns indicate they’ve reloaded nicely. Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Scottsdale Horizon was the latest impressive result.
5. Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep, 10-1
Notre Dame Prep started hot with a first-set win over Corona del Sol on Saturday before faltering down the stretch and ultimately losing in three sets. But despite the defeat, the performance showed how close the Saints are to the very top teams in the state.
6. Gilbert Highland, 20-5
The last few days have taken some of the shine off of Highland’s impressive (and busy) start to the season. Still, this group owns wins over teams like Corona del Sol, Horizon, Chandler Hamilton and Phoenix Pinnacle. Senior outside hitter Zoe John is dominating with 4.4 kills per set.
7. Queen Creek Casteel, 9-5
Unlike most of their counterparts, Casteel opted for a heavily out-of-state schedule early, facing nine high-level Texas schools in the Volleypalooza in Austin to start the season. That experience set them up well for September, during which they’ve already knocked off Horizon and Perry.
8. Queen Creek, 14-2
After flirting with the state’s elite the past two season, Queen Creek is 14-2 to start this year — a stretch that includes a nice win over Perry. Tuesday’s home game against Highland is another big test.
9. Gilbert Perry, 9-3
Like many of the schools atop these rankings, Perry seems to find a way to reload on talent no matter how much it loses. Early wins over schools like Queen Creek and Pinnacle are evidence that the Pumas have done so again after last year’s run to the 6A semifinals.
10. Scottsdale Horizon, 10-4
After the retirement of legendary coach Valorie McKenzie, Horizon still is finding its footing this year, with four early losses. But junior outside hitter Teraya Sigler might be the best player in the state so this group is an easy bet to improve as the season goes on.
Also considered: Goodyear Estrella Foothills, Peoria Liberty, Phoenix Pinnacle, Chandler Hamilton, ALA-Gilbert North, Phoenix Country Day.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The Republic's Super 10: Girls' Arizona high school volleyball rankings
