The 2026-27 Arizona women highschool volleyball season is underway, with groups in six Arizona Interscholastic Affiliation conferences competing this season, with a number of intriguing storylines to observe.
In 6A, the massive query is whether or not Xavier can win a 3rd straight title. The Gators enter the season ranked No. 8 nationally by MaxPreps. Xavier defeated Tempe Corona del Sol for the title in 2024 and 2025, and returns maybe one of the best total participant within the state. In 5A, Dawn Mountain is trying to lastly break by, after ending as runner-up the previous two seasons. And a superb story is brewing in 1A, the smallest-school stage, as Cicero Prep vies for a fourth straight title.
Right here's a take a look at the highest 6A gamers to observe within the state this season. Vote in our ballot for the participant you assume ought to be on the prime of our record. The ballot will shut on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. Print readers can discover the ballot on-line at s.
Tessa Larkin, Xavier Faculty Prep, Exterior Hitter, Sr.
There isn't a lot debate about who sits atop Arizona's volleyball panorama. Larkin enters her senior season because the reigning Gatorade Arizona Participant of the 12 months for volleyball, and the Stanford commit has been a centerpiece of Xavier's back-to-back 6A championships. Final yr Larkin posted 419 kills, 248 digs, 71 blocks and 39 aces. MaxPreps additionally has her as one of the best participant in Arizona heading into this season. She was named AIA 6A first-team final season and likewise named to The Republic's All-Arizona Ladies Volleyball Workforce in 2025. "Tessa is without doubt one of the most achieved gamers within the nation," Xavier head coach Lamar-Renee Bryant mentioned. "She's a pacesetter and a particularly onerous employee, I'm so happy with what she's finished right here at Xavier."
Mikaela Lee-Tsosie, Corona del Sol, Center Blocker, Jr.
Lee-Tsosie is without doubt one of the the explanation why Corona del Sol shouldn't be missed, regardless of dropping 10 seniors. The 6-foot-3 junior center blocker had 208 kills and 69 blocks final season, ending third on the Aztecs in kills, behind Hayden Connor, who’s now at Washington, and second in whole blocks. "Mikaela brings expertise at a excessive stage as a junior, which is all the time good," Corona del Sol head coach Ben Maxfield mentioned. "She brings a bodily presence and she or he's a foundational piece for us."
Sophia Gregg, Perry, Setter, So.
Gregg is among the many youngest gamers on this record, however she has expertise taking part in high-level volleyball. She lately performed with america U-17 group on the Pan American Cup, the place she was voted one of the best setter of the match. As a freshman, Gregg recorded 307 kills and 44 aces. Now she's coming to a Perry group that’s loaded with expertise. "We're huge and bodily," Perry head coach Andrew Yamashiro mentioned. "We're bringing again a number of gamers, and Sophia might be one of many fundamental items that we’ve got on our flooring."
Lauren Forelli, Liberty, Exterior Hitter, Sr.
Forelli led Liberty final yr with 295 kills. She additionally added 208 digs, 34 blocks and 32 aces. She already has dedicated to Michigan State after her senior yr. She is certainly one of many harmful items on a proficient Liberty group.
Kristen Sheehy, Sandra Day O'Connor, Center Hitter, Sr.
At 6-foot-4, Sheehy provides O'Connor a severe weapon on the web. She notched 164 kills in 68 units final season, whereas additionally recording 57 blocks. Sheehy might be TCU-bound subsequent yr.
Makinlee Landis, Hamilton, Center Blocker/OH, Jr.
The 6-foot-2 Landis could be very a lot a candidate for breakout participant this yr. She recorded 147 kills and 86 blocks final yr and she or he enters 2026 as certainly one of Hamilton's main center choices.
Saydie Vega, Casteel, Exterior Hitter, Jr.
As a sophomore final season, the 5-foot-10 exterior hitter notched 339 kills, ok to rank her eighth within the state in that class. Vega additionally added 99 digs and 14 blocks throughout final yr's marketing campaign. Vega got here up huge within the huge video games, recording a hitting proportion of greater than .500 in opposition to Basha and Chandler. Casteel completed 29-11 final season and ranked No. 3 in Arizona behind Xavier and Corona del Sol.
Hayes Haan, Sunnyslope, Exterior Hitter, Sr.
At 6-foot-1, Haan provides Sunnyslope a confirmed possibility on the surface heading into 2026. The Vikings went 23-14 final season with a giant win over Corona del Sol. Haan logged 299 kills, with 225 digs, 31 blocks and 24 aces.
Sienna Cathey, Perry, Exterior Hitter, Sr.
Cathey transferred from Gilbert Christian after placing collectively a superb 2025 marketing campaign. She led the Knights with 366 kills, whereas including 213 digs and 57 aces. "She's going to have a huge impact for us," Yamashiro mentioned. "She's dedicated to Cal Poly so she will get used to taking part in with some huge youngsters right here."
Adelyn Chang, Corona del Sol, Setter, Sr.
The regular senior and Temple commit piled up 970 assists in 101 units final season. She added 219 digs and 26 aces. "What can I say about Addie, she's been so nice for us," Maxfield mentioned. "As a group that’s form of in transition, with the ability to deliver her again and her expertise is so large for us, and I can't say sufficient about how a lot she means to this group."
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This text initially appeared on Arizona Republic: 6