Richard Smith West Valley Preps

Two years was enough time for Deer Valley and Mountain Ridge to make a splash in beach volleyball.

Both young programs qualified for the Division I playoffs and hit the road Tuesday afternoon. Mountain Ridge plays at No. 3 Goodyear Millennium while Deer Valley is at No. 8 Oro Valley Ironwood Ridge.

Mountain Ridge solidified one of the final postseason berths — it was seeded No. 14 — by beating Valley Vista and Willow Canyon in its last two matches. Deer Valley was secure by then, beating Scottsdale Chaparral 4-1 on April 16 to nail down the No. 9 seed.

"It was really new last year. This year we’re consistent with our partners and there’s a good connection between everyone," Deer Valley senior Kendall Coleman said.

Coleman’s partner, fellow senior Kaley Hosler, said the team’s biggest win was against Chaparral. Most of the matchups were close and the Skyhawks’ top team of Coleman and Hosler squeaked by the Firebirds aces’ 18-16 in the third game.

The duo was the No. 2 team during the opening season in 2017. Everyone in the program was more prepared this time around.

"We brought in new people to help us with defense. And we learned new stuff," Hosler said. "We started winning a lot and realized we’re actually a pretty decent team."

Deer Valley started off 4-0 and coach Kathryn Coleman and her players said the second win, Feb. 28 at Tempe Corona del Sol clued in the team about its potential. The Skyhawks beat the larger school with a top indoor volleyball program 3-2.

"I knew we were deep. We have seven new freshmen on our team and several were on varsity. But I think it was really a turning point for us when we beat Corona del Sol. I knew how deep we were then, because out four and five (pairs) won," Kathryn Coleman said. "From then on, these girls didn’t give up. They play and play until the very end."

Junior Bree Rudolph and her freshman partner had the decisive win in that match

"Against Corona del Sol, we were the last game and it came down to us. We lost our first set, won the second and then blew them away in the third set," Rudolph said.

The Skyhawks lost two straight matches, to Coconino and O’Connor, and part of that is attributable to the concurrent club volleyball season.

They were shorthanded in mid-March. Coach Coleman said everyone will be available for the playoffs, though the girls are coming back from a Las Vegas tourney.

"All of my team plays club volleyball. In the middle there, we were missing quite a few girls against Coconino and O’Connor. We only had eight and then 10. Once we had our full team back we kept the pairs the same. Knowing who that partner was and practicing with them gave them confidence," Kathryn Coleman said.

Mountain Ridge had five players head to that Las Vegas tournament, coach Kevin Schmitt said. But they were able to move practice to 6 a.m. April 20 for the playoff push thanks to the school's new sand volleyball courts - right next to the main parking lot.

Last year the Mountain Lions practiced and played at the Victory Lane complex several miles east.

"Having our own courts allowed us to have more flexibility in our practice schedule. We received a lot of positive feedback from other coaches as well in terms of how they are laid out (tandem instead of side to side)," Schmitt stated in an email. "Having six freshmen playing for us this year helped as well."

The Mountain Lions will try to reverse their early season loss to Millennium.

Deer Valley headed south for a first round matchup of teams that have not played before.

"I always like being the underdog. It gives us that momentum to prove ourselves. We did that by being ninth overall," Kathryn Coleman said.

She said this year, the team was able to balance competition, fun. Deer Valley spent the spring sharing courts in practices with Goldwater, a program in its first year.

And more girls, including seven freshman, came out for the team this year, realizing it also helps indoor volleyball career. Kathryn Coleman said college coaches asked her daughter and Hosler about their sand background.

"It definitely helps with indoor. It helps you move faster and be able to read the ball better. When you’re in sand it’s only two of you," junior Lanae Gonzalez said. Schmitt stated that Mountain Ridge scheduled Phoenix Xavier Prep for our scrimmage so it could see what a championship program looks like, and for the team to focus its energy to get better. He said in year two, the girls improved their mindset, the ability to read the play and ball control. Team leaders were senior captains Lexi Bozzano and Lauren Moore. Schmitt said underclassmen that have stood out include junior Jenna Jones, freshman Alissa Uhlenhop, freshman Madison Girnuis, junior Keali Chacon and sophomore Jordan Kress. "All of our seniors have been outstanding as well - Caitlyn Thome, Ally Zygmunt, Tori Gass, and Syd Clayton.  We have challenged them each week and their effort has been rewarded. They have won 12 out of their last 14 dating back to our last double header match in 2017 (beat Flagstaff and Willow Canyon)," Schmitt said. "Can't say enough about this group of girls.  We talked about how we were in control of our own destiny and that putting trust into our approach to the game would allow them to be successful and earn the right to go to state. We have asked as coaches for one thing, bring  your  #BVOU (Best Version of You) each and everyday and you will reap the benefits on and off the court."