Super Six Players to Watch
Haley Lawless, 6-3, Sr., OH, Seton Catholic: After being limited by an injured shoulder for much of her junior season, Lawless was unleashed in the state tournament last year and dominated. She has been a fixture on the front line for three seasons for Seton, leading the way to three straight championships.
Macey Gardner, 6-0, Sr., OH, Gilbert: The Arizona State commit is one of the more explosive outside hitters and solid all-around players the state has seen in a while. She missed part of last season with a hamstring injury, but when healthy, she can take over a match.
Brittany Thomas, 6-1, Jr., OH, Hamilton: As a sophomore, Thomas took a back seat at times to her more experienced teammates, but that will not be the case anymore. Her potential is vast and if she can live up to it more consistently this season, she’ll be hard to stop.
Kehau Baker, 5-8, Sr. OH/S, Basha: Bears coach Jim Kann has been able to plug in the versatile Baker wherever he needed her. She’s had highs of 951 assists (her sophomore season) and 197 kills (junior season), so she’s proven very capable as both a setter and a hitter.
Kaja Sandberg, 6-3, Sr., MB, Desert Ridge: With the graduation of Talia Jones, Sandberg becomes the offensive and defensive focal point for the Jaguars. Sandberg tallied 94 blocks as a junior and with another year of maturity under her belt, that total will soar this season.
Madison Bickle, 6-1, Jr., OH, Basha: Bickle was a sophomore standout last season at Williams Field, leading the Black Hawks in kills and was second in blocks. Her transfer to Basha could help shake things up and propel the Bears into the top tier in Division I.
Other Players to Watch
Basha: Megan Byrnes, 6-0, Sr., MB; Sydney Arnson, 5-8, Sr., S; McKayla Ferris, 6-0, Jr., OH; Chandler: Kelcy Hambsch, 5-7, Sr., RS/OH; Erica Guevara, 5-11, Sr., OH/RS.; Corona del Sol: Haley Kesteloot, 5-5, Sr. L; Alexa Moser, 5-11, Sr., OH.; Desert Ridge: Maggie Niu, 5-9, Sr., OH; Ashley Sanders, 5-6, Sr., S; Taylor Sanders, 5-5, Sr., L.; Gilbert: Penina Snuka, Jr., OH; Cathleen O’Brien, Sr., OH; Emily Masterson, Sr., S; Sarah Beene, Sr., S.; Hamilton: Alexa Saba, 5-4, Jr., L; Savannah Banyai, 5-9, Jr., OH; Lauren Jacobsen, 5-9, Jr., Opp.; Highland: Casey Johnson, 5-8, Sr., OH; Breanna Vieth, 5-8, Sr., OH.; Higley: Maddy Lund, Soph., S.; Mesa: Umata Tafuna, 5-7, Sr., S; Madi Clement, 5-11, Sr., MB; Mesquite: Junior Emma Bergeson, 5-10, Jr., MH; Laural Sheesley, 5-6, Jr., S.; Mountain View: Mackenzie Skousen, 5-10, Sr., OH; Morgan Carman, 5-4, Sr., L; Milani Pickering, 5-8, Sr., OH; Megan Hunt 5-9, Sr., MB; Paige Tingey, 5-7, Sr., S.; Perry: Klohe Harrion, 5-10, Jr., OPP/OH; Queen Creek: Jasmine Hanna, 6-1, Soph., MB/RS; Red Mountain: Heather Leavitt, 5-11, Sr. OH; Emily Franklin, 6-3, Jr., MB; Tempe Prep: Monica LeBeau, Sr., L; Kaitlin Shroll, Soph., OH; Janel Brinkman, Sr. RS.; Valley Christian: Sydney Tassielli, 5-11, Sr., MB; Katie File, 5-11, Sr., MB; Lindy Dyer, 5-7, Jr., OH/L
