The high school girls volleyball season began Aug. 27 at schools across the state. West Valley Preps, the Glendale Independent and the Peoria Independent asked local high school coaches about their teams. Here are their responses:

Cactus Cobras

Coach: Deb Martin (first season as head coach)
2024 Record: 17-12 overall, 7-3 region (4A play in)
Region: 4A West Valley
Who are your top returning players?: Well, for our returning players there is only three: Haley Stewart, senior setter, Kenli Petty, sophomore middle blocker, and Ziara Pauli, sophomore setter/hitter.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Newcomers are Laila Long, junior outside hitter, Faith Connell, senior libero and senior Audrey Morgan, a middle blocker. Also making the team are two freshmen - Addison Martin, a setter/hitter and Skye Moore, an outside hitter.  Making the team this year from last years JV team are Reyna Lindsey, a right side/middle, Andie Laube, a libero/defense specialist and senior captain outside hitter and middle Charley Enos.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our best attributes are working together as a team and playing for each other and the school colors. The whole team is  brand new to each other as well as a completely brand new staff.   So, we know we are starting from scratch, basically from the bottom up.  We’ve made huge accomplishments in practices and we constantly work towards perfection and mending areas that need attention. 
Which teams on this season’s schedule are you most looking forward to and will be the toughest? I, as a coach am coming from the 6A division so I really have not been paying too much attention to the 4A division, but I know that Estrella Foothills and Flagstaff always competes and brings a showing throughout the year and then to the state playoffs. So I imagine they will be our biggest target, but we are taking every game as just as important as the top contenders. 
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Our primary goals are to keep in check with every practice and every game.  We have goals and we dream big, so we plan to be one of the teams at the championship game. I think we will be the surprise of the 4A Region.   We plan on making Cactus the talk of the year.

Deer Valley Skyhawks

Coach: Jackie Wallace (20th season)

2024 Record: 22-19 overall, 7-3 region (4A play in)
Region: 4A West Valley
Who are your top returning players?: Izzy Darnell - four-year varsity veteran and senior captain, She's an outside hitter and region offensive player of the year, Hailey Berg - four-year varsity veteran and senior setter. Hana Delkic - senior middle blocker, and Leia Malick, senior defensive specialist.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Sienna Borst- a sophomore outside hitter that's bringing some firepower to the second outside hitter spot. Dayami Holguin, senior opposite hitter, Makyleigh Gorenstein, senior middle blocker, Tatum Sendaj, senior defensive specialist, Kristine Borgstedt sophomore setter, Janelle Osborn, junior, setter.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? With being a senior laden team, our more experienced players have taken on leadership roles which have helped our team focus and stay on track! Our team camraderie has been off the charts and our team energy has been super positive! 
Which teams on this season’s schedule are you most looking forward to and will be the toughest? We always love the competition with Thunderbird and Estrella Foothills.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Do all the little things right! Always compete!

Peoria Panthers

Coach: Be Markley (first season as head coach)
2024 Record: 5-15 overall, 2-8 region
Region: 4A West Valley
Who are your top returning players?: Our returning seniors are Megan Schafer and Lianna Guerra.

Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? We have a couple new varsity players that we are excited about, sophomore Mia Gomez as one of our middle hitters and freshman Maja Vojvodic is a solid all around player.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We have a solid front row that is capable of getting a lot of points.
Which teams on this season’s schedule are you most looking forward to and will be the toughest? The girls always look forward to our rivalry games against Cactus and Estrella Foothill is going to be one of the toughest teams we play.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? We are really trying to focus on our defensive growth this season, it will be the key for us to move toward more wins.

Sunrise Mountain Mustangs

Coach: Brandi Jans (seventh season)
2024 Record: 33-9 overall, 10-0 region (5A runners up)
Region: 5A Northwest
Who are your top returning players?: Senior Brooke Jenkins, senior Addison Wiemann, senior Kami Milner and senior Lily Rolfes.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Juniors Allie Muller and Brynlee Haugen
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Strength and power.
Which teams on this season’s schedule are you most looking forward to and will be the toughest? Horizon (Sept. 4), Liberty and Notre Dame Prep .
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Our motto for this season is "We over Me".  Our ultimate goal is to win state- but just as importantly, we're committed to building a culture of selflessness and unity both on and off the court.