The high school boys volleyball regular season began Feb. 27 in the Valley. West Valley Preps asked in Glendale and Peoria to take a look at their teams:

Centennial Coyotes

5A Northwest Region
2022 record: 14-10 4-4 region (Reached 5A first round)
Coach: Cari Bauer (17th year as Centennial boys coach)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? This team is special because they have the great combination of talent and cohesiveness…the culture and vibe is very good.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We are just working to play as consistent as we can.
Who are your team leaders? Team leaders: Zeke Pottle, Gavin Walker-Mason, and Paul Escarcega
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? We have a few guys that were on JV last year that have been a big factor for us…Shawn Sullivan, Boaz Swartz, Christian Brooks and Max Bautista are all big contributors.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? The goal always is to be playing our best ball at the end…from now until then, we work on consistency and being able to get teams out of system more often.

Deer Valley Skyhawks

4A West Valley Region
2021 record: 26-8 overall, 10-0 region (Reached 4A quarterfinals)
Coach: Eric Palmer (ninth year as Deer Valley head coach, 19 years as a coach in the program)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? This team is “all in” for each other; working hard to be the best versions of themselves every day. The team chemistry we have on and off the court connects us. We are more experienced and confident than a year ago; we will use a balanced attack that will keep our opponents guessing.
Who are your team leaders? We are led by seniors OH Justus Clark, S Alex Flores, MB Rylan Colman and Libero Wyatt McGriff.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Seniors OPP Ethan Erickson, and MB Logan Demeter will add depth and a balanced attack.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? We will use in-season tournaments to challenge ourselves vs tough competition to speed up our block and defense to prepare us for region and state. We will need to continue to attack the process by staying calm and confident through individual and team improvement every day so that we will peak at the exact right moment, both mentally and physically when it counts the most.

Ironwood Eagles

5A Northwest Region
2022 record: 23-12, 7-1 region (Reached 5A second round)
Coach: Damon Mays (three years as head coach)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? One of our best attributes this year is experience along with team chemistry. We have several players that have been apart of the program for 3+ years and have grown together.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Our team will need to improve on being more disciplined consistently and staying mentally strong. If we are able to do those two things we will have a very successful season.
Who are your team leaders? Our captains this year are seniors Connor Monahan and Hayden Glauser. These two have been on varsity for 3 years now and are highly respected by their teammates. Colin Beebe is another leader on the court who plays an important leadership role.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? We don’t have a ton of newcomers to varsity this year since we only graduated one senior last year. However, Tavion Shaw is someone that is new to the varsity team this year that could make an impact for us especially on the defensive side.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reachthe goals the program has set? In order for us to reach the state tournament this season, our team needs to stay disciplined and play with consistency. Our region and conference are very competitive this year, so we will need to do the little things that matter day in and day out for us to reach our goals this year.

Kellis Cougars

5A Northwest Region
2022 record: 6-18, 1-7 region
Coach: David Thistle (seven years as head coach)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Very hard working group, good senior group.

The 2023 Mountain Ridge boys volleyball team wants to build on its #10 ranking in 6A to end the 2022 season. (Mountain Ridge Boys Volleyball)

Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions

6A Desert Valley Region
2022 record: 16-15, 2-4 region (Reached 6A play-in)
Coach: Deb Moore (Third year as Mountain Ridge head coach)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? The team has some strong blockers and hitters this year.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Work more as a team to close out games that are tight.
Who are your team leaders? Captains are Nathan Rosinski and Tegan Bernard, both seniors. Other leaders are junior Madduxx Goron and senior Sam Theil.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Nate Roskelly and Luke Mayfield, both sophomores are doing well in the middle. Freshman Peter Selenski brings all around talent to the team.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? Reduce our errors and finish matches strong

Peoria Panthers

4A West Valley Region
2022 record: 9-20, 2-8 region
Coach: Delany Mickensy (first year as high school volleyball coach)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? My team’s best attribute is their drive and energy. For their drive they never settle they always want more. They put in the hard work that is required for us to reach our team’s season goal. Their energy means there is never a dull moment with them. This group is very lively on me off the court.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Our team will need to improve on their mentality and eliminating errors on the court. After every game and practice we proactively talk about what the team did great at and what we could improve on.
Who are your team leaders? My team leaders are everyone. Every player has a voice on the team and on the court. Each player has their own leadership style and they know how to put it into play. From leading by physical effort, to using their voice, and hyping everyone up and helping keeping the energy. My team captains are Evan Lyda, Ezekial Belman, Jared Lyda, Jakarai Dubois- Robinson, and Trenton Blow.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? My new comers to varsity that are making a big impact now are Jacob Celaya, Nicholas Contreras, Joshua Anaya Rivera, and Ivan Contreras.
What needs to happen for your sauad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? For us to reach the state tournament is one of our program goals. For us to reach this goal we need to trust the process, keep the competition high and keep pushing each other on the court competitively.

Sunrise Mountain Mustangs

5A Northwest Region
2022 record: 22-5, 7-1 region (Reached 5A semifinals)
Coach: Tony Gale (20th year as coach)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We are balanced offensively, players are hard workers and dedicated.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Serving toughness, serve receive and blocking consistently.
Who are your team leaders? Kyle Andersen, Caelan Koth, Zach Northey and Pacen Craghead.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Pacen Craghead
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? Continue to work together, play consistent and trust in each other