A somewhat shorter high school girls volleyball season begins Sept. 21 at schools across the state. West Valley Preps and the Surprise Independent asked local high school coaches about their teams. Here are their responses:

Dysart Demons

Coach: Larissa Shaw (second year)
2019 Record: 7-21
Region: 4A Southwest
Expected top returning players: Senior setter Hailey Neumann (261 assists), senior right side Rhiannon Granucci (36 kills, 28 aces)

Paradise Honors Panthers

Coach: William Clawson (second year)
2019 Record: 11-20 (in 3A)
Region: 4A Southwest
Top returning players: Junior Victoria Persha, and sophomores Makailey Albright and Briella Samaniego.
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? Freshman Vivianna Samaniego and sophomore Jolie Hutchinson.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our best attribute is being unified as a team and sticking together through the hard times.
Which teams on this season’s schedule are you most looking forward to and will be the toughest? We can’t wait to play new region rivals Youngker High School. Our toughest matchup will be against returning state champions Greenway High.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? Primary goals for this season is remain healthy. COVID is still a threat we need to face and being at home for school is dampening the social potential of the student-athletes. We have had lots of practice and are ready to put the pedal to the metal.

Shadow Ridge Stallions

Coach: Linda Rodl (Third season)
2019 Record: 13-13 (6A play in game)
Region: 6A Southwest
Top returning players: We have four returning varsity players: Neeley Eves, Nicole Lesan, Gloria Moye and Taylor Reigelsperger
Who are some of the newcomers that may have an impact this year? We are a very young team — we have three sophomores and three freshmen, all who will add a lot to this team. We expect all of them to become a contributing force on the court. We have three new setters — Breilyn Costley, Kobie Fowler and Rylen Lane - a lot of our success is riding on these young ladies shoulders. We look for some very good numbers in kills and blocks from Addisyn Pohl, a middle blocker.

What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We are a team in every sense of the word. Everyone is focused on having a good year, working hard and being a team. Our team wants to play the sport they love, to the best of their abilities and have fun doing it together. A very positive atmosphere is present in our gym.
Which teams on this season’s schedule are you most looking forward to and will be the toughest? Hamilton and reigning 5A state champions Sunnyslope, will be among our toughest games this season. We have a very good, competitive schedule this year, which will challenge us throughout the season. We always look forward to playing Valley Vista — it has always been a great match and a lot of fun for everyone in the Dysart district.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? We are working hard to be competitive, on every point, starting with the serve. We are focused on having a successful season, growing together as a team, while improving the individual skill sets of all of our players.

Valley Vista Monsoon

Coach: David Chavez (seventh year)
2019 Record: 27-10-2 (6A play-in round)
Region: 6A Southwest
Who are your top returning players: Aliyah Moore, Kailin Katena, Riley Brown, Christina Lopez, Emma Webb, Maren Matthews, Ashlynn Lusier and Jordan Deal.
Who are some varsity newcomers that may have an impact this year? Maya Barron and Daphine Zamore.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Experienced. Valley Vista had only one senior last season.
Which teams on this season’s schedule are you most looking forward to and will be the toughest? Sunnyslope.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? To play as a team, and go deep in state.

Willow Canyon Wildcats

Coach: Matt Overfelt (fourth year)
2019 Record: 13-21
Region: 5A Central
Top returning players: Jordyn Kellick (OH), our lone senior starter, led our team in kills in 2019. We expect an even stronger year from her in 2020. Maliyah Spencer (Jr-MB), a 2019 5A Desert West honorable mention, returns quicker and stronger than last year and will anchor our defense/offense in the middle front. Maddox Richtmyre (So - L) was a 2019 5A Desert West honorable mention in her freshman year. She continues to emerge as a dominant defender in the back row. Amaya Thomas (Jr - MB), an outside hitter in 2019, steps into the role of second middle blocker in 2020.
Who are some varsity newcomers that may have an impact this year? Madeline Stein (So - S) takes over the starting setter position. Tristen Turlington (Jr - Opp), primarily used in a DS role in 2019, has earned the starting right side hitter position.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We have a close group that gets along both on and off the court. This may be the strongest passing and defensive team we’ve ever had at Willow Canyon.
Which teams on this season’s schedule are you most looking forward to and will be the toughest? We are in a new region this year and look forward to testing our skills against a brand new schedule. We are excited to play Independence in the region and challenge Sunrise Mountain and Centennial in freedom matches.
What are the primary goals for this year’s team? We missed the playoffs by one spot last year and have set the goal to get back there in 2020.