Phoenix Desert Vista gave notice to the 5A-I ranks Tuesday — the Thunder are back.
Desert Vista knocked off state favorite Phoenix Xavier in three games.
“I was happy. I was thrilled,’’ Desert Vista coach Molly West said. Last year was a down one for Desert Vista. The Thunder made the round of 16 in the 5A-I playoffs but finished with a losing record. This year’s team has all 10 players (five seniors) back. West said their defense and ball control are among the best in the state. Betsie Metter hits the ball harder than anyone in school history, West said. She calls Metter and Anna Gott her “beach kids” who can keep any ball in play.
‘Letting their hair down’: Scottsdale Notre Dame had things going its way Wednesday in a 4A-II match against Chandler Seton Catholic. Then, Saints coach Laura Harris said, her players “kind of let their hair down.”
Seton won the next two games before Notre Dame prevailed 15-12 in the final game. Seton, the two-time defending 3A champ now playing at 4A, impressed Harris.
“They can compete,’’ she said. Chandler Valley Christian sophomore Chanel Brown is drawing interest from Division I college recruiters. An outside hitter, she can touch 10 feet. “I don’t know exactly what her vertical is,’’ Valley Christian coach Molly Stark said. “But it has to be at least 30 inches.”
Valley Christian, a 2A school, has two outside hitters that any 5A school would envy. The other is senior Alaina Bergsma who has committed to Loyola Marymount.
“Chanel has received a lot of attention because she’s just a sophomore,’’ Stark said. “Alaina is our captain and really the heart of our team.”
Looking ahead
Tournament time: Chandler Wolves Women’s Volleyball Showcase (Today-Saturday). It’s the first weekend and the first invitational.
