Tournament season is winding down but isn’t over yet. Lucky for us, because one of the premier events has yet to be played. That’ll change this coming Friday and Saturday as 32 teams from nine states participate in the National Division of the Nike TOC Southwest tournament in the greater Phoenix area. The two-day extravaganza also features a 24-team Premier Division and a 12-school Elite Division. All matches take place at Bell Bank Park in Mesa.
The National field features a couple of top-ranked schools in No. 4 Mira Costa CA and No. 5 Cornerstone Christian TX. While they are the favorites the field is certainly strong enough that neither is guaranteed of anything. Plenty teams are good enough to upstage the top two seeds and walk away with the championship. Below we run through the top contenders and players to watch as we get ready for an exciting and entertaining weekend.
vballrecruiter.com Nationally-Ranked Teams
No. 4 Mira Costa CA
No. 5 Cornerstone Christian TX
No. 17 Marymount CA
No. 29 Corona del Sol AZ
No. 44 Mater Dei CA
No. 47 Millennium AZ
No. 50 Hamilton AZ
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Teams By State
Alaska (1) – South Anchorage
Arizona (12) – Queen Creek; Arcadia; Xavier Prep; Sunnyslope; Desert Vista; Corona del Sol; Sunrise Mountain; Hamilton; Notre Dame Prep; Millennium; Salpointe Catholic; Horizon
California (9) – Mira Costa; Ontario Christian; Mater Dei; Los Alamitos; Marymount; Bishop’s; Santa Fe Christian; Notre Dame Belmont; Vista Murrieta
Idaho (1) – Eagle
Kentucky (2) – Dunbar; Sacred Heart Academy
Nevada (3) – Shadow Ridge; Faith Lutheran; Bishop Gorman
Texas (1) – Cornerstone Christian
Utah (1) – Timpview
Washington (2) – Emerald Ridge; Mead
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TEAM SPOTLIGHTS
A look at the top eight seeds (in order):
Cornerstone Christian TX – A case can be made for the Warriors playing the toughest schedule in the nation. The Volleypalooza champions also finished runner up at the Nike TOC Southeast tournament, losing in the final to Westminster Christian FL. Up next is the trip to Arizona to test their talent against a slate of West Coast schools. The offense is built around senior Nayeli Gonzalez and sophomore Megan Fitch. Junior Grace Carroll and sophomore Macey Hughes are right side options while senior Rylee Busse is another choice on the left. The Warriors can run a 5-1 with senior Taylor Anderson or utilize a 6-2 with Anderson and sophomore Kaia Thiele. The backrow is taken care of by senior libero Alyssa Manitzas.
Mira Costa CA – The Ann Kang Invitational champs haven’t played a tournament since winning in Hawai’i. The Mustangs picked up a key league victory over Redondo Union on Tuesday, winning in five sets. The team is led by junior S/RS Charlie Fuerbringer. Another key component is senior outside Drew Wright. Senior S/RS Tanon Rosenthal and junior Chloe Hynes also will get in on the attack. At libero it’s sophomore Taylor Deckert.
Mater Dei CA – Mater Dei finished ninth at the Durango Fall Classic and should factor into the mix here. Junior outsides Isabel Clark and Babi Gubbins see the majority of the sets. Other contributors on offense include junior right side Cymarah Gordon, senior middle Liz Hertzog and freshman right side Layli Ostovar. Defensively, it’s junior Malyssa Cawa suiting up at libero.
Marymount CA – The Sailors have played in two tournaments so far, finishing runner up at both Dave Mohs and the Durango Fall Classic. Is another finals appearance on tap here? Leading the charge is senior stud and outside hitter Torrey Stafford. Other options for senior setter Lauren Brooker includes junior outside Kate Martin and freshman right side Samantha Destler. Senior Alexa Trapani holds down the back row playing libero.
Corona del Sol AZ – The Aztecs are having a strong year, having only lost once so far. The only team to defeat Corona del Sol is Sunnyslope, a team the Aztecs have also defeated. Senior right side Kierstyn Barton is the big arm defenses need to be most concerned about. She’s backed by senior middle Ella Lomigora and sophomore outside Alyssa Aguayo. Junior Julia Owens directs the offense.
Hamilton AZ – The Huskies have a strong mix of upper and underclassmen contributing. Senior outside Neomi Beach is the kill leader. Behind her is freshman outside Mikayla Haner, freshman pin hitter Nia Curry and sophomore middle Ava Anderson. At the setting position is senior Melia Barlow and at libero is senior Lauren Mullings.
Millennium AZ – The Tigers started the week having lost just once, to Sunnyslope in tournament action. The main offensive threat is senior outside Eryn Jones. Junior outside Anne Brauckmiller is another player defenses need to key on. The Tigers run a 6-2 with senior Ava Krienitz and junior Allison Wilson splitting the setting duties.
Horizon AZ – The Huskies can be a dangerous foe for anybody. Senior outside Kendal Murphy is a big-time player and the team’s kill leader. Also watch for senior outside Sarah Wadsworth and senior middle GG Greenlee to be targets of sophomore setter Avery Ashcraft.
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MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kaia Pixler SO S Sunnyslope AZ
Mikayla Shepston JR OH Sunnyslope AZ
Georgi Stein SO OH Sunnyslope AZ
Taliah Lee SR OH Timpview UT
Silina Damuni SR S Timpview UT
Tiana Mariner SO L Timpview UT
Madison Crnjac FR OH Queen Creek AZ
Blaykli Bobik JR OH Queen Creek AZ
Izzy Mahaffey SO L Queen Creek AZ
Alexis Luszeck SR MB Shadow Ridge NV
Aivry Makaiwi SR L Shadow Ridge NV
Bianca Richardson JR OH Faith Lutheran NV
Tatum Longnecker SR S Arcadia AZ
Zoe Leonard JR OH Arcadia AZ
Elon Milroy JR RS Los Alamitos CA
Ashley Repetti SO OH Los Alamitos CA
Taylor Hofland SR MB Los Alamitos CA
Finley Workman JR OH Xavier Prep AZ
Elle McCreery SO MB Xavier Prep AZ
Vivian Hickman FR OH Xavier Prep AZ
Blythe Manson SR OH Emerald Ridge WA
Grace Wesenberg JR OH Emerald Ridge WA
Sydney Bold SR L Bishop’s CA
Ayanna Watson FR OH Bishop Gorman NV
Leilia Toailoa JR OH Bishop Gorman NV
Ashley Duckworth JR MB Bishop Gorman NV
Shelby Gorospe SR MB Sunrise Mountain AZ
Emily Pruitt JR OH Sunrise Mountain AZ
Delany Gash JR OH Dunbar KY
Brooklyn Briscoe SR MB Santa Fe Christian CA
Irelynd Lorenzen SR MB Santa Fe Christian CA
Evan Hendrix JR OH Notre Dame Prep AZ
Lexi Yoza SR S Notre Dame Prep AZ
Cassidy Graninger FR L Notre Dame Prep AZ
Anna Powell SO OH Sacred Heart KY
Elise Hart SO MB Sacred Heart KY
Bridget Egan SO OH Sacred Heart KY
Gia Rivera FR OH Notre Dame Belmont CA
Frankie Pieroni SSR OH Salpointe Catholic AZ
Claire Little SR OH Vista Murrieta CA
Lilliana Montes JR RS Vista Murrieta CA
Maija Howse SO OH Eagle ID
Madison Hauskins SR OH Eagle ID
Delaney Bub JR OH Eagle ID
