Late February marked the beginning of the high school boys volleyball regular season. West Valley Preps asked Peoria coaches to take a look at their teams:

Cactus Cobras

4A West Valley Region
Coach: Jana Henige (6th year as head coach)
2023 Record: 17-17, 5-5 region (4A quarterfinals)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? I think the best attribute of our team is the athleticism/height and how much they enjoy playing with each other.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We have players that are playing new positions they have never played before. They will need to continue learning and improving their skills in their new position as the season goes on.
Who are your team leaders? Our seniors Bradey Henige, Braiden Lagafuaina, Josiah Hyslip and freshman Tommy Henige.  Bradey and Braiden have played varsity all four years and are reliable on and off the court. This is Josiah’s second year to play volleyball and second year on varsity. He leads by example with his great work ethic. Tommy is young but one our few players that has ever played club volleyball. He has good knowledge of the game and is always trying to help his teammates learn.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? ommy Henige will make an immediate impact. He has been playing club volleyball since the age of 11 at Aspire VBC. His club team has won nationals and Tommy contributed greatly to their success.  Also, brothers Matthew Johnson  and Vinnie Vitale joined the team this year.  They have filled the needed rolls as setter and libero.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? For our team to reach the state tournament our players need to believe in themselves and each other.  To trust the team culture they have developed.  To outwork each opponent.  They need to leave the gym better everyday and be willing to see it through.  

Centennial Coyotes

5A Northwest Region
Coach: Cari Bauer (19th year as head coach)
2023 Record: 8-15, 2-8 region (5A first round)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? These guys are a very tight group … close friends off the court. They are always pulling for each other.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We need to continue to be able to play at a high level when playing a fast team. Staying consistent with general ball control is key also.
Who are your team leaders? Senior Boaz Swartz, junior Max Bautista and senior Christian Brooks.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Senior middle blocker Josh Platten has had an immediate impact on our blocking. Both he and Jjunior Tanner Trembly have don a great job so far in the middle. Junior Josh Flores also has been a pleasant surprise.

Ironwood Eagles

5A Northwest Region
Coach: Damon Mays (fourth year as coach)
2023 Record: 32-8, 7-3 region (5A runners up)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We are well balanced and have depth on our roster.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Consistency in all areas of the game and winning the mental battle.
Who are your team leaders? Elijah Chiriac, Ethan Jones and Caden Raymond.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? River Kinman, Evan Beebe and Jayden Trubl
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? Being disciplined, consistency and trusting the process.

Sunrise Mountain Mustangs

5A Northwest Region
2023 Record: 26-5, 10-0 region (Reached second round of 5A playoffs)
Coach: Tony Gale (21st year as head coach)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We have positional flexibility and two very good setters
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We are a relatively inexperienced team this season so the boys will need to go through the adversity that comes with most seasons.
Who are your team leaders? Our team leaders are Pacen Craghead, Landon Abbott and Dane Shepherd
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? The new players to varsity that will need to help contribute to our success is Dane Shepherd, Brayden Case and Conlan Hopkins.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? To reach our goals we will need to learn to attack our opponents, serve aggressive and serve receive at a level that keeps us in system a major of the time.