West Valley Preps' Goodyear/Surprise girls volleyball preview

The high school girls volleyball season began Aug. 28 at schools across the state. West Valley Preps and the Surprise Independent and Goodyear/Litchfield Park Independent asked local high school coaches about their teams. Here are their responses:

Dysart Demons

Coach: Ryan Dimal (first season)
2023 Record: 10-13 overall, 6-4 region
Region: 4A Black Canyon
Top returning players: Kaylynn Carleton, senior OH. 2023 stats: 86 kills, 32 aces, 22 blocks. Noelani Springer, sophomore OH. 49 kills, 51 aces, 125 digs. Zarayha Renteria, senior L. 158 digs.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? The newcomers that should make a big impact for our team is Celeste Mercado and Alicca Lopez. Athletic players who will be a threat at the net.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? The team’s best attribute entering this season has to be their fight in every play. So many times you think the play is about to finish you will see a girl make a move and just keep the play going. It will frustrate the teams we play because of our perseverance.
Which teams on this season’s schedule are you most looking forward to and will be the toughest? As I am a new coach to the region and conference I’m just looking at each match as a hurdle and just excited to see my team compete.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Kaylynn Carleton, Noelani Springer (a sophomore) and the rest of the seniors, Juliana Burstraan, Velissa Salazar and Zarayha Renteria, are all returners and bring a wealth of experience between all of them. They will be big in helping create the culture and pushing each other and the rest of the team in practice to be better. My goals for this team is to learn to work and support each other through thick and thin as well as to compete for every point.

Estrella Foothills Wolves

Coach: Jennifer  (10th season)
2023 Record: 31-2 overall, 10-0 region (4A runners up)
Region: 4A West Valley
Top returning players: Sadie Snyder, junior OH. 2023 stats: 302 kills, 121 digs, 23 blocks. Italya (Toto) Carter, senior S. 575 assists, 197 difs, 54 aces. Emma Curry, senior L. 323 digs, 103 assists.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Two freshmen are on the roster - setter Lily Merefield and opposite hitter Olivia Salsbury
Which teams on this season’s schedule are you most looking forward to and will be the toughest? Our schedule of freedom games is packed with competitive teams like Flagstaff, ALA-Gilbert, Ironwood Ridge and ALA-Queen Creek.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Our focus has been ball control and defense.

Highland Prep Honey Badgers

Coach: Rogers Harris (first season)
2023 Record: 2-15 overall, 1-9 region
Region: 3A West
Top returning player: My top returning player is Makayla Nunn.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? My freshman middle Kaylee Ramos, who I believe will have a huge impact this year.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We’re a very scrappy team this year both JV and varsity.
Which teams on this season’s schedule are you most looking forward to and will be the toughest? ALA Foothills and Seton Catholic are teams I’m looking forward to.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Focus on what we can control on the court and give it everything we have each game. We’re a very young team and underdogs coming into 3A and we love it. Progress from game one until the end of the season.

Willow Canyon Wildcats

Coach: Matt Overfelt (eighth season)
2023 Record: 13-15 overall, 6-6 region
Region: 5A Northwest
Top returning players: Shia Chancellor, sophomore OH. 2023 stats: 202 kills, 23 blocks. Chyler Martin, senior outside hitter 87 kills in 26 sets, 14 aces. Brianna Gonzalez, senior S. 433 assists, 74 kills.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Freshman pin hitter Aspen Edwards, will have an immediate impact in our starting lineup. Returning from a 2023 injury, sophomore setter Keely Blady will also contribute to our team’s success.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We have amazing team chemistry on and off the court. Our girls genuinely enjoy playing with each other.
Which teams on this season’s schedule are you most looking forward to and will be the toughest? We are looking forward to region matchups against Centennial, Ironwood, and Sunrise Mountain.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? We are looking forward to region matchups against Centennial, Ironwood, and Sunrise Mountain.