PREP VOLLEYBALL CAPSULES

BASIC
Coach: Robin Wood
2006 record: 13-8
Top players: OH Stephanie Cinkovich, Sr.; MB Giulia Stolworthy, Sr.; OH Molly Beverson, Sr.; S Christen Dejoria, Sr.
Outlook: The Wolves seem to sneak into the playoffs every year and should be able to do it again. Wood thinks she has a squad capable of getting past the first round, but a general lack of height could prevent Basic from getting by the top teams in one of the strongest divisions in town.

CORONADO
Coach: Brock Mitchell
2006 record: 17-5
Top players: – S Samantha McCosh, Sr.; L Shelby Scott, Sr.; OP Atashia Lush, Sr.; OH Jennifer Singer, Sr.
Outlook: Former Cougars assistant coach Mitchell takes over a team loaded with talent and experience. McCosh is one of the top setters in the state, and she’ll have a supporting cast capable of putting away big points. Coronado could make it to the state tournament.

DEL SOL
Coach: Albert Ronquillo
2006 record: 6-12
Top players: S/OH Kadie Miller, Jr.; MB Bryanna Chavez, Jr.; L Kayla Day, Jr.
Outlook: The Dragons return most of last year’s roster, which gained valuable experience on the way to a sixth-place finish. Ronquillo thinks his squad is ready to battle for a playoff spot, though he might need another year to accomplish that goal in such a tough division.

FOOTHILL
Coach: Krysta Ortiz
2006 record: 7-13
Top players: OH Anna Ureno-Villalba, Sr.; OH/D Jessica Heintz, Jr.; MB Jessica Stevenson, Jr.; OH Shelby Wendelsdorf, Jr.
Outlook: The Falcons lost some players to graduation after finishing fifth in the division last year. Even so, first-year varsity coach Ortiz will have several veterans on the floor and a reasonable amount of height to work with. A playoff appearance is not out of the question, but a tough league schedule could hurt Foothill’s chances.

GREEN VALLEY
Coach: Erin Hill
2006 record: 15-7
Top players: OP Karlee Skalla, Sr.; OH Siga Appelgate, So.; MH Sydney Brozovich, Jr.; S Jena Chavez, Fr.; OH Caitlyn Tranquillo, Sr.
Outlook: The Gators have been a Southeast power for years, and they again look strong. Hill will have several veterans on the court at all times, led by Appelgate (212 kills, 52 aces) and Skalla (166 kills, 53 aces, 41 blocks). Expect Green Valley to go well into the postseason.

LIBERTY
Coach: Amanda Berg
2006 record: 4-13
Top players: OH Mary Crawford, Sr.; OH Malvina Tuioti, Sr.; S Jessica Palalay, Sr.
Outlook: The Patriots have improved since finishing seventh in the division last year, but they still lack experience. Though Berg’s squad could surprise a few teams, it does not appear ready to take on the league’s best.

TECH
Coach: Emily Herrin
2006 record: 1-16
Top players: OH Carla Chiron, Sr.; MB Mechel’la Logan, Sr.
Outlook: Herrin said her squad has gained significant experience since last year’s last-place season. A strong core of seniors could help the Roadrunners win a few matches, but a playoff berth appears unlikely.

NORTHEAST DIVISION

CHAPARRAL
Coach: Matt Golightly
2006 record: 12-7
Top players: OH Shannon Walling, Sr.; S Sarah Concannon, Sr.; L Jordan McGinness, Jr.
Outlook: If anyone can dethrone perennial division champion Las Vegas this year, it might be the Cowboys. All-Northeast outside hitter Walling averaged nine kills and Concannon averaged 26 assists last season. They will be joined by five other returners and could help lift Chaparral over the top.

DESERT PINES
Coach: C.J. Curry
2006 record: 1-16
Top players: OH Caprice Howard, Sr.; OH Julie Ratsachack, Sr.; MB Rozia Bell, Jr.; MB Kitty Corrow, Jr.
Outlook: The Jaguars finished last in the division last year before losing six players to graduation. Though Curry sees improvement in this season’s younger squad, Desert Pines probably will need at least another year in order to compete with the league’s top teams.

ELDORADO
Coach: Susan Romero
2006 record: 2-13
Top players: OH Sarah Childs, Jr.; MB Melissa Petersen, Sr.
Outlook: The Sundevils finished sixth in the division last season and could struggle again. There is a great deal of parity in the Northeast, however, a fact that could give Romero’s squad a chance to snag the last playoff spot.

LAS VEGAS
Coach: Sue Thurman
2006 record: 15-6
Top players: MB/OH Chenoa Rossi-Childress, Sr.; S Cassie Lindsay, Sr.; MB Jennifer Gliddon, Sr.; Frankie Marshall, Sr.
Outlook: The Wildcats, perennial champions in the Northeast, went undefeated in league play last year and could do it again. With plenty of height, strong blocking and an experienced defense, Las Vegas again looks like the team to beat. All-division players Rossi-Childress and Lindsay will need career seasons, however, to give Las Vegas any chance of getting past the leaders in the stronger Southeast.

RANCHO
Coach: Raz Simonian
2006 record: 10-8
Top players: S/DS Saige Diller, Sr.; OH/L Maria Palacios, Sr.; RS/DS Sarah Koster, Sr.; OH/MB Yvette Cordero, Sr.
Outlook: The Rams will return several key players, including all-division setter Diller, from a team that took third in the Northeast last year. Though Simonian’s squad has a good shot at making the playoffs, it is unlikely to get past the first round. 

VALLEY
Coach: Nick Porter
2006 record: 6-9
Top players: OH Jasmine Harris, Sr.; S Kersey Wahlquist, Jr.; L Jo Ann Chu, Sr.
Outlook: The Vikings have improved in recent years, and first-year coach Porter thinks his team is ready to surprise quality opponents. Several players will be in new positions, and there won’t be much height up front. Even so, Valley could be the most improved team in the Northeast.

SUNSET REGION
SOUTHWEST DIVISION

BISHOP GORMAN
Coach: Ed VanMeetren
2006 record: 9-6
Top players: OH Maren Foley, Sr.; L Liz Lisowski, Jr.; OH/MB Erin Hughes, Jr.; MB Dannielle Diamant, Jr.
Outlook: The Gaels are perennial playoff contenders, and they again look strong. At 6-4, Diamant will control the net, and she’ll have an experienced group of veterans behind her.  If Gorman can work through some early injuries, a Southwest championship could be within reach.

BONANZA
Coach: Dusti Winward
2006 record: 2-14
Top players: OH Olivia Halverson, Sr.; L Callie Horn, Sr.; MB Alison Simons, Jr.
Outlook: Winward’s roster appears improved since last year’s two-win season, but the Bengals might have a hard time getting past some of the division’s top teams. The lineup could use a little more height, so a strong defense will be an essential part of any success for Bonanza. 

CLARK
Coach: Linda Silver
2006 record: 13-4
Top players: OH Mallory Johnson, Sr.; OH Lisette Hairston, Sr.; MH Magda Nowinski, Sr.
Outlook: The Chargers won the division last season before losing most of the lineup to graduation. Johnson, who was named to the all-division team, will need to take over a squad that hopes to sneak into the postseason at the end of a rebuilding year.

DURANGO
Coach: Bob Kelly
2006 record: 12-9
Top players: S Markie Malone, Sr.; OH Jordan Nitz, Sr.; OH Channa Evans, Sr.; OH Hayley Spelman, Jr.; Julie Amundson
Outlook: Kelly is keeping a lid on his optimism, but the Trailblazers look like the team to beat in the Sunset. With all-division setter Malone and 6-5 junior Spelman controlling the tempo, Durango could go all the way to the state tourney.

SIERRA VISTA
Coach: Camille McComas
2006 record: 14-7
Top players: OH/MB Breana Mason, Sr.; S Jessica Mojica, Sr.; MB Chloe Baker, Sr.; OH Brianna Tolliver, Sr.
Outlook: McComas lost a couple of seniors to graduation in the spring, but she plans to compensate by making some position changes with the remainder of her roster. The Lions finished second in the division last year and could again compete for the championship if 6-footer Mason can take control up front.

SPRING VALLEY
Coach: Patti Delfs
2006 record: 8-9
Top players: MB Kelsey Swanson, Sr.; OH Brenna Becker, Sr.; OH Sydni Senecal, Sr.
Outlook: The Grizzlies finished fifth in the division last year but showed signs of stepping up to the next level. With six experienced seniors on her roster, new coach Delfs thinks her squad is capable of reaching the postseason. If her big hitters can control the net, that goal might be within reach.

WESTERN
Coach: Melissa Anderson
2006 record: 0-14
Top players: OH Michelle Simon, So.; MB Shelly Black, Sr.; MB Monica Mallory, Jr.; S Megan Riggs, Jr.
Outlook: The Warriors have improved significantly since going winless last year. Anderson has a deeper lineup, more experience and a little more height to work with. Though the coach hopes to sneak her squad into the playoffs, Western may be a year or so away from achieving that goal.

NORTHWEST DIVISION

ARBOR VIEW
Coach: Melanie Johnston
2006 record: 6-14
Top players: OH Stacey Brinkman, Sr.; OH/MB Maddie McCoy, Jr.; MH Stayzia Garness, Jr.; OH/MB Ashley Elliott, Sr.
Outlook: The third-year Aggies showed improvement last season and hope to keeping climbing toward the top of the division. All-Northwest standout Brinkman will help Arbor View to stay competitive with most teams.

CENTENNIAL
Coach: Shannon Alia
2006 record: 20-2
Top players: S Lauren Sagers, Sr.; S Morgan Vieira, So.; OH Johnna Brown, Jr.; OH Danielle York, Jr.
Outlook: Alia had one of the strongest teams in town last year, and this year’s squad might be even better. Though six Bulldogs graduated in the spring, the roster remains loaded with experience and height. With all-division setter Sagers guiding the way, Centennial could again go deep into the postseason.

CHEYENNE
Coach: Dell Salazar
2006 record: 5-12
Top players: MB Erica Vanderstelt, Sr.; OH Whitley Wade, Sr.
Outlook: Salazar thinks her team has improved since finishing fifth in the division last season. Vanderstelt and Wade are tall and experienced, but they may lack the support to lift Cheyenne into the postseason.

CIMARRON-MEMORIAL
Coach: Danielle Ballard
2006 record: 11-8
Top players: OH Catherine Wyre, Jr.; S Jessica White, Jr.; MB Jennifer Salls, Sr.
Outlook: Though the Spartans play in one of the toughest divisions in town, they’ve improved since finishing fourth in the Northwest last year. Ballard has a strong defense and a reasonable amount of height to work with, meaning Cimarron has a reasonable shot at grabbing a playoff spot.

LEGACY
Coach: Jonathan Grande
2006 record: 1-19
Top players: OH Sueala Suailuma, Sr.; OH Kaylan Hanson, Jr.; L Talia Morgan, Jr.
Outlook: The Longhorns managed just one win in their inaugural season last year, but Grande sees great improvement. Though Legacy has the potential to surprise some people, Grande’s relatively small and inexperienced lineup probably will need at least another year to become a formidable threat in the Northwest.

PALO VERDE
Coach: Amy Rogers
2006 record: 15-7
Top players: OP Jasmin White, Sr.; MB Nicole Gneiting, Jr.; OH Katrina Marcy, Jr.; S Hanna Korn, Sr.
Outlook: The Panthers are a traditional power in the division, and this season will be no exception. Though Rogers’ squad is a little young, she’ll compensate with one of the tallest starting lineups in town. Palo Verde has enough talent to win the Northwest.

SHADOW RIDGE
Coach: Karissa Guthrie
2006 record: 19-4
Top players: MB Robyn Goodspeed, Sr.; S Brittany Meyer, Jr.; OH Lauren Hammond, Sr.; OH Kylee Schraft, So.; MB/Util Taylor Warburton, Sr.
Outlook: The Mustangs finished just one game behind first-place Centennial last year, and they will again battle for the division’s top spot. Though several key seniors graduated in the spring, Guthrie still has a talented roster featuring plenty of height, energy and defensive skills. Shadow Ridge is a team to watch.

NOTE: Silverado, Canyon Springs and Mojave did not respond to requests for information about their teams.