2017 Girls Volleyball Capsules

ARBOR VIEW

League: Class 4A Sunset

Head coach: Jay Renneker, fifth season

2016 record: 15-15 (4-8 Northwest, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Eight (five)

Top athletes: S Alyson Jeeves (Sr.), OH Sarah Goddard (Sr.), MB Bailey Olbur (So.), LIB Nicola Talbot (So.), OH Kylee Bonham (Sr.), OH/OPP Makayla Snyder (Sr.), MB/OPP Shiloh Lively (Sr.), MB Alexis Kershaw (Jr.), S Kyndall Mitchell (Jr.)

Outlook: The Aggies, who won the Northwest League title in 2014 and 2015, bring back eight letter winners and should be primed for a successful season after narrowly missing out on the postseason last year.

“The Aggies return an experienced roster with a good mix of young and old (eight sophomores, three juniors and six seniors),” Renneker said. “We look forward to an exciting and competitive season in the Sunset Region. We will also have our eyes on a hopeful return to championship form.”

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BISHOP GORMAN

League: Class 4A Sunset

Head coach: Ed Van Meetren, 18th season

2016 record: 29-10 (12-0 Southwest, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (five)

Top athletes: OH Tommi Stockham (So.), S Lilly Hoff (Sr.), S/OH Sydney Lobato (Sr.), OH Kylie Gibson (Sr.), DS Sarah Lychock (Sr.), MB Ashley Brennan (Sr.), DS Natalie Mavroidis (Jr.), MB Reese Rossnagel (Jr.), OH Alex Washington (Jr.)

Outlook: The Gaels return nine letter winners after winning the Class 4A state championship last year.

Lobato (594 assists, 86 aces, 30 blocks), Hoff (481 assists, 41 aces, 142 digs), Stockham (282 kills, 52 blocks), Gibson (229 kills, 23 blocks) and Lychock (277 digs, 50 aces) give the Gaels plenty of potent weapons.

“We should be a contender for the state championship,” Van Meetren said. “We have size and depth and the top players in the state.”

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BONANZA

League: Class 4A Sunset

Head coach: Elizabeth Rice, second season

2016 record: 17-16 (7-5 Southwest, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)

Top athletes: S Sydney Dunn (Sr.), OH Zhanna Colin (Sr.), MB/OH Aja Johnson (Sr.)

Outlook: The Bengals qualified for the postseason last year and bring back three starters from that squad.

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BOULDER CITY

League: Class 3A Sunrise

Head coach: Cherise Hinman, 21st season

2016 record: 17-21 (7-3 Sunrise, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (three)

Top athletes: OPP/S Maggie Roe (Sr.), MH Jerra Hinson (Sr.)

Outlook: Roe is coming off a big season where she racked up 457 kills, 333 digs, 89 aces and 85 blocks. Hinson added 140 kills and 40 blocks last season.

They’re two of the six returning letter winners for Boulder City, a Class 3A state semifinalist last season.

“We plan on continuing our long-time tradition of qualifying for playoffs, but also take a state championship this year,” Hinman said. “We have some talented young players filling spots on the floor this season.

“We expect to be very competitive in our conference and division.”

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CALVARY CHAPEL

League: Class 2A Southern

Head coach: Maximillian Bergkamp, first season

2016 record: 30-5 (16-0 Southern, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (two)

Top athletes: OH Olivia Kaiser (Sr.), S/OH Michaela Odom (Sr.), S/OH Talina Inguanzo (Sr.), LIB Rachel Miller (Sr.)

Outlook: Bergkamp takes over a team that returns four letter winners who helped the team win the Class 2A state championship last season.

Kaiser (297 kills, 165 digs) leads the returnees. The Lions also should get contributions from Odom (50 kills, 76 digs), Inguanzo (70 kills, 25 blocks) and Miller (67 digs, 25 aces)

“The team outlook for 2017 is positive and looking to maintain 2016 success,” Bergkamp said. “We expect to compete for the Southern League championship.”

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CANYON SPRINGS

League: Class 4A Sunrise

Head coach: Sarah Hamilton, first season

2016 record: 2-10 (2-6 Northeast, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Two (one)

Outlook: Hamilton takes over a team that will have some work to do with only two letter winners returning.

The Pioneers qualified for the postseason last year and are hoping to contend for a playoff berth this year.

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CENTENNIAL

League: Class 4A Sunset

Head coach: Jessica Rice, first season

2016 record: 15-18 (6-6 Northwest, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (two)

Top athletes: S Siara Roberts (Sr.), OH Natalie Starlin (Sr.), OH Emily Anderson (Sr.), MB Anyese Kirkland (Sr.), LIB Elaina Young (Jr.), OH Kara Combs (Sr.)

Outlook: Rice takes over a team that returns six letter winners.

Centennial qualified for the postseason last year and is hoping to make a playoff run this year.

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CHAPARRAL

League: Class 3A Sunrise

Head coach: Keala Enomoto, second season

2016 record: 7-11 (3-7 Sunrise, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (four)

Top athletes: S/OH Alyssa Porras (Sr.), MH Alexandria Williams (Sr.), OH Ursula Ardon (Sr.)

Outlook: The Cowboys return seven letter winners, including four starters, from a team that qualified for the postseason last year.

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CHEYENNE

League: Class 3A Sunset

Head coach: John Armstrong, fifth season

2016 record: 16-18 (6-4 Sunset, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Eight (four)

Top athletes: S Aseret Geraldo (Sr.), MH Eryuan McJoy (Sr.), OH Tia Echols (Jr.)

Outlook: The Desert Shields return the bulk of a squad that finished third in the Sunset League last year.

“We are only adding two new players to last year’s team, so we will be relying on team chemistry and experience to find success,” Armstrong said. “After making the playoffs last year and losing only two starters, we plan on getting deeper into the playoffs and possibly competing for a Class 3A state chmpionship.”

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CIMARRON-MEMORIAL

League: Class 4A Sunset

Head coach: Sopheap Khuon, first season

2016 record: 10-16 (0-12 Northwest, seventh)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (three)

Top athletes: LIB Alexandrea Payan (Sr.)

Outlook: Only four letter winners return for the Spartans.

“The Spartans are young and inexperienced, but are eager to be successful this season,” Khuon said. “We are in the process of rebuilding and making this program stronger. We have not made playoffs in over 10 years, so our top goal is to fight for a playoff spot.”

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CORONADO

League: Class 4A Sunrise

Head coach: Matt Johnson, eighth season

2016 record: 14-17 (6-4 Southeast, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (five)

Top athletes: OH Madison Karcich (Sr.), LIB Megan Wang (Sr.), OPP McCallister Gayle (Jr.), S Dallas Balanay-Flores (So.), MB/OH Sasha Bolla (Jr.)

Outlook: The Cougars bring back five starters from last year’s team and should be primed for an even more successful season.

Balanay-Flores (555 assists) and Karcich (170 kills) should be among the leaders again on offense with Wang (256 digs) and Gayle (37 blocks) ready to help the defense.

“We are excited for this season,” Johnson said. “The players have worked hard in the offseason and have physically and mentally prepared themselves for the challenges which lie ahead in the season.

“We look forward to the opportunities to get better each day.”

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DEL SOL

League: Class 3A Sunrise

Head coach: Dennis Takahashi, first season

2016 record: 2-15 (0-10 Sunrise, sixth)

Returning starters: Three

Top athletes: S Genessa Galibut (Jr.), DS/OH Angel Jones (Sr.), OH Julie Robles (Jr.)

Outlook: Takahashi takes over a team that returns three starters and is hoping to show improvement this season.

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DEMOCRACY PREP

League: Class 2A Southern

Head coach: Makayla Shorts, first season

2016 record: 10-8 (10-6 Southern, fourth)

Returning starters: Six

Outlook: Shorts takes over a team that brings back six starters.

The Blue Knights made the playoffs for the first time in the program’s history last year and hope to return to the postseason.

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DESERT OASIS

League: Class 4A Sunset

Head coach: Nick Porter, fourth season

2016 record: 14-18 (5-7 Southwest, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (one)

Top athletes: OH Remy Seumalu (Sr.), S Laityn Sama (Sr.), OPP Sophia Parlanti (Fr.)

Outlook: The Diamondbacks return six letter winners, but just one starter from last year’s squad.

“With Laityn Sarna and Remy Seumalu I believe that the leadership from our seniors, and chemistry on our team will be key to our success,” Porter said. “We have a few strong sophomores and a freshman that will be big contributors this year and help us in the future, so it’s exciting to have a team like ours.

“With the new playoff format we realize we have quite a task ahead of us to make the cut and be contenders. We fell short on some crucial wins last year that I think our team has learned from and is ready to build together to be even more competitive this year.”

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DESERT PINES

League: Class 3A Sunset

Head coach: Melissa Cain, fourth season

2016 record: 1-21 (0-10 Sunset, sixth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (four)

Top athletes: OH/S Michelle Rhodes (Jr.), S/OH Karyme McGhee (Jr.), MB/OH Vira Tavita (Jr.), MB Brianna Fitzgerald (Sr.)

Outlook: The Jaguars remain in building mode as they hope to be more competitive.

Tavita (86 blocks, 29 kills) and Fitzgerald (77 blocks, 36 kills) hope to be an imposing presence at the net. Rhodes and McGhee also are expected to contribute.

“We have a pretty young team this season,” Cain said. “They have been working hard in preparation for this season.”

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DURANGO

League: Class 4A Sunset

Head coach: Amy Schlauder, fifth season

2016 record: 21-18 (9-3 Southwest, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)

Top athletes: OH Naomi Harris (Sr.), MB Kaci Kedrowski (Sr.), S/OPP Anu Faitau (So.)

Outlook: The Trailblazers continue to improve under Schlauder’s leadership and return five letter winners from a team that finished second in the Southwest League.

Harris (221 kills, 132 digs, 47 aces), Kedrowski (145 kills, 193 digs, 41 blocks) and Faitau (98 kills, 207 digs, 71 aces) lead the list of returnees.

Schlauder also expects newcomers Jaylin Ellis, Sierra Sanchez and Jaqueline Robinson to contribute.

“We have a strong combination of experienced returners and determined newcomers on our roster,” Schlauder said. “Our success will depend on our ability to come together as a team as well as stay focused on our goals.

“We have high expectations for this group and look forward to progressing throughout the season in the highly competitive Sunset Region.”

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FAITH LUTHERAN

League: Class 4A Sunset

Head coach: Amy Fisher, 12th season

2016 record: 20-18 (6-4 Northwest, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (five)

Top athletes: OH Sydney Washington (Sr.), S Mary Vancura (Sr.), MH/OH Dallas Mahan (Sr.)

Outlook: Vancura dished out 735 assists, and Washington had 297 kills last season.

They’ll be asked to lead a squad that lost four all-league performers to graduation.

“The team expects to compete for a championship in the Sunset League and a state berth,” Fisher said.

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FOOTHILL

League: Class 4A Sunrise

Head coach: Krysta Ortiz, 11th season

2016 record: 17-19 (5-5 Southeast, fourth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (two)

Top athletes: OH Whitley Brow (Jr.), MB Riana Blount (Jr.)

Outlook: The Falcons will have some new faces in the starting lineup as only two starters return from last year’s squad.

Brow was a first-team All-Sunrise Region choice, and Blount earned second-team all-region honors.

“The Falcons will be a young, dynamic and talented group with strong team chemistry,” Ortiz said. “We will return two of our top players from 2016 and pair them with athletes of similar talents and strengths. The Falcons intend to compete well into the postseason.”

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GREEN VALLEY

League: Class 4A Sunrise

Head coach: Erin Hill, 27th season

2016 record: 26-8 (8-2 Southeast, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (two)

Top athletes: S Abby Olsen (Sr.), OH Lana Benson (Sr.), LIB Kristine Davis (Sr.)

Outlook: Olsen (733 assists, 67 aces, 112 kills, 216 digs, 32 blocks) is one of the top returning setters in Southern Nevada. Benson (28 aces, 77 kills, 14 blocks) and Davis (133 digs) also are back to bolster the Gators.

“The Gators will be a young team with an excellent work ethic,” Hill said. “Look for the Gators to improve each set.”

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GV CHRISTIAN

League: Independent

Head coach: Alex Gutierrez, second season

2016 record: 3-14

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (four)

Top athletes: OH Hope Watson (Sr.), OPP/OH Ariana Davis (Jr.), OH/MB Abby Johnson (So.), LIB/MB Savana Calderon (So.)

Outlook: The Guardians return four starters from last year’s team as they continue their building process.

“Our team will always be working hard and staying focused to that each girls is able to grow as a player, as a teammate and as an individual,” Gutierrez said. “We expect to give every practice and every game our all and to learn from the many experiences that we will be blessed with.”

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LAS VEGAS

League: Class 4A Sunrise

Head coach: Justin Graham, third season

2016 record: 15-21 (6-2 Northeast, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (two)

Top athletes: OH Zoe Johnson (Sr.), OH Skyla Faught (So.), S/OH/OPP Victoria Barney (So.)

Outlook: The Wildcats bring back four letter winners, but a pair of the leaders are still just sophomores.

Faught (142 kills, 82 digs) and Barney (45 kills, 162 digs, 382 assists) join senior Johnson (60 kills, 90 digs) among the returnees.

“The Wildcats will be young and athletic, looking to fight for a playoff spot in the Sunrise League,” Graham said.

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LEGACY

League: Class 4A Sunset

Head coach: Evelini Gibbs, first season

2016 record: 16-17 (4-8 Northwest, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (five)

Top athletes: OH Kiana Carter (Sr.), OH Myah Maxwell (Sr.), OH Jazmyne Walker (So.), S Kamaile Mendonsa (Sr.), LIB Alyssa Fuller (So.), MB Vanessa Aponte (Jr.), MB Kiara Peterson (Fr.)

Outlook: Gibbs takes over a team that welcomes back five starters and hopes to contend for a playoff berth.

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LIBERTY

League: Class 4A Sunrise

Head coach: Brandon Kersting, third season

2016 record: 14-19 (2-8 Southeast, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)

Top athletes: OH Alexandra Farnsworth (Sr.), S Tehani Tapuala (Sr.), OH Kayla Watanabe (So.), OPP O’ceana Clemens (Jr.)

Outlook: The Patriots bring back three starters from last year’s team and hope to make a push for a playoff spot this season.

“We look forward to the season ahead,” Kersting said. “With a young team, the leadership of our two seniors Alexandra Farnsworth and Tehani Tapuala is going to play a big part in the success of our season.

“The goal is to improve as a team every day. The players are working hard to be prepared for the tough schedule ahead.”

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LIBERTY BAPTIST

League: Class 1A Southern

Head coach: Grace Halverson, eighth season

2016 record: 19-9 (independent)

Returning letter winners (starters): Three (three)

Top athletes: S Jade Halverson (Jr.), S Kelsey Guardiola (Jr.), MB Kiley Guardiola (So.)

Outlook: Jade Halverson (313 assists, 214 digs, 52 aces, 60 kills), Kelsey Guardiola (131 assists, 142 digs, 57 aces, 30 kills) and Kiley Guardiola (58 kills, 34 assists, 177 digs, 21 aces) are the lone returning letter winners for the Knights, who move into the Class 1A Southern League this season.

“We are excited to play this difficult schedule with our new team and see God do great things through us,” Grace Halverson said.

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LINCOLN COUNTY

League: Class 2A Southern

Head coach: Chantel Holt, first season

2016 record: 20-16 (11-5 Southern, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)

Top athletes: OH Brooklyn Hafen (Sr.), MH Kailey Kelley (Sr.), OH Sadie Teel (Sr.)

Outlook: Holt takes over a team that has been one of the more successful programs in the Class 2A Southern League in recent years.

The Lynx should be position to contend for a postseason berth again this year.

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THE MEADOWS

League: Class 2A Southern

Head coach: Stephanie Heller, 14th season

2016 record: 26-11 (14-2 Southern, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Nine (five)

Top athletes: MB Dina Kosyagin (Sr.), OH Dani Mason (Jr.), LIB Anna Dorn (Jr.), MB Alexi Corrigan (Sr.)

Outlook: The Mustangs return nine letter winners from a team that qualified for the Class 2A state tournament last year.

Kosyagin (3.0 kills per set) was a first-team Class 2A all-state selection last year, and Mason (2.8 kps, 3.5 digs per set) was a second-team choice.

“Our goals are to finish as a top-two team in league and advance to the regional tournament with hopes to compete in the state tournament,” Heller said. “We’re looking to run a fast, balanced offense with the nucleus of returners. Defensively, we are working to become more scrappy and disciplined.

“We have new setters to the team, so it’s now the challenge to find the right fit as to who will run the offense. We expect to be very competitive in the Las Vegas Invitational and Boulder City tournament against larger schools.

“We have a very versatile roster that can be a key to success as we mature through the season.”

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MOAPA VALLEY

League: Class 3A Sunrise

Head coach: Mandie Matheson, seventh season

2016 record: 27-11 (10-0 Sunrise, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (four)

Outlook: The Pirates advanced to the Class 3A state final last season and bring back four starters from that squad.

“The Pirates are hungry and ready to work hard to advance to the region and state championships,” Matheson said.

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MOJAVE

League: Class 3A Sunset

Head coach: John Engel, first season

2016 record: 12-17 (8-2 Sunset, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Two (two)

Top athletes: OH Savannah Davis (Sr.), OPP Deja Boothe (Sr.), MB Sierra Orton (Fr.)

Outlook: Engel inherits a team that has just two returnees.

“We have a very inexperienced team that will need to develop quickly to compete for a playoff spot,” Engel said. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to move this program to the next level. I’m also excited about our freshmen and sophomore class who have been working all summer.”

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PAHRANAGAT VALLEY

League: Class 1A Southern

Head coach: Ginger Whipple, 35th season

2016 record: 23-6 (7-0 Southern, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (five)

Top athletes: OH Karley Whipple (Sr.), S Madi Taylor (Sr.), OH Morgan Harris (Jr.)

Outlook: Few things are near a sure bet, yet Ginger Whipple leading her team to a state tournament berth has to be on the short list.

The veteran coach guided the Panthers to their 18th state title last year. The Panthers have been to the state championship match every year since the mid-1990s.

Seven letter winners, including five starters, return from last year’s squad.

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PALO VERDE

League: Class 4A Sunset

Head coach: Phil Clarke, fourth season

2016 record: 21-16 (8-4 Northwest, second)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (five)

Top athletes: OH Aaliah Largusa (Sr.), S Arien Fafard (So.), OH Carli Tanner (So.)

Outlook: The Panthers return five starters from a team that advanced to the Sunset Region semifinals last year.

Largusa (162 kills, 141 digs), Fafard (400 assists, 198 kills, 198 digs) and Tanner (201 kills, 275 digs) all are expected to be leaders on offense and defense.

“It is a focused and hard-working group of girls,” Clarke said. “We look to be competitive in a tough division and improve after gaining some good experience last season.”

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RANCHO

League: Class 4A Sunrise

Head coach: Allegra Derzon, 10th season

2016 record: 16-16 (8-0 Northeast, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Three (three)

Top athletes: LIB Mia Suzuki (Jr.), MB Taylor Ewing (Sr.), OH Dayana Raygoza (So.)

Outlook: Suzuki (204 digs, 30 aces), Ewing (50 kills, 26 aces, 11 blocks) and Raygoza (112 digs, 44 kills, 23 aces) are the only returning letter winners from last year’s Northeast League champions.

“We are very young and inexperienced, but relentless,” Derzon said.

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SANDY VALLEY

League: Class 1A Southern

Head coach: Electra Smith, ninth season

2016 record: 6-9 (2-5 Southern, seventh)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (four)

Top athletes: OH Samantha Robinson (Sr.), OH Alayna Imhausen (Sr.), S Afton Shupe (Jr.), OPP Jocelyn Coday

Outlook: The Sidewinders return four starters from a team that narrowly missed out on a postseason berth last year.

“The Lady Sidewinders are displaying teamwork and working harder than ever on their skills,” Smith said. “We hope to have a successful season and get to the playoffs.”

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SHADOW RIDGE

League: Class 4A Sunset

Head coach: Karissa Guthrie, 12th season

2016 record: 27-7 (12-0 Northwest, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Eleven (five)

Top athletes: OH Madyson Lousignont (Sr.), MB Kahea Nihipali (Jr.), OH Whittnee Nihipali (Sr.), OH/LIB Kizzy Rodriguez (Sr.), S Autumn Spendlove (Sr.), LIB/DS Braedyn Peters (Jr.)

Outlook: The Mustangs return 11 letter winners from a team that advanced to the Sunset Region championship last year.

Shadow Ridge is on a run of success, having advanced to the state tournament in both 2014 and 2015.

“As is every year, we have high expectations for our finish in the state championships,” Guthrie said. “We look forward to getting on the court and allowing our experienced girls to work with our new girls to become the best team we can be.”

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SILVERADO

League: Class 4A Sunrise

Head coach: Eric Drum, third season

2016 record: 30-8 (9-1 Southeast, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (two)

Top athletes: OH Sydney Berenyi (Sr.), LIB Kaylynn Smith (Sr.)

Outlook: Berenyi (525 kills) was the Gatorade state player of the year last year, and Smith (158 digs) also returns for the Skyhawks, who won the Sunrise Region title and advanced to the state semifinals last year.

“Our goals are to defend our region championship and compete to win state,” Drum said.

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SOMERSET-LOSEE

League: Independent

Head coach: Aubree Lovaas, second season

2016 record: 1-8 (independent)

Returning letter winners (starters): Eleven (four)

Top athletes: LIB Kathryn Howzell (Sr.), MB Victoria Thompson (Sr.), S Sabrina Wright (So.), OH Myri Au Young-Uwaine (Fr.)

Outlook: The Lions bring back 11 letter winners and hope to show improvement this season.

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SPRING VALLEY

League: Class 4A Sunset

Head coach: Chelsey Williams, first season

2016 record: 9-17 (2-10 Southwest, sixth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Seven (three)

Outlook: Williams inherits a team that returns seven letter winners and is hungry for success.

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TECH

League: Class 3A Sunrise

Head coach: Pae Agae, fourth season

2016 record: 12-20 (3-7 Sunrise, fifth)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (one)

Outlook: The Roadrunners return only a handful of players with significant varsity experience.

“With four returnees, we are hoping to be competitive throughout the season,” Agae said.

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VALLEY

League: Class 4A Sunrise

Head coach: Lenore Porter, first season

2016 record: 7-17 (3-5 Northeast, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Four (four)

Top athletes: OH Gabriella Morales (Sr.), OH Kiara Brown (Sr.), LIB Debra Shuster (Sr.)

Outlook: Porter takes over a team that is hungry for success.

“Valley is looking forward to continuing the growth of our program and players under a mostly new coaching staff,” Porter said. “The flexibility and commitment of the team is promising for a bright future for our student-athletes and program overall.”

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VIRGIN VALLEY

League: Class 3A Sunrise

Head coach: Lori Barnum, fourth season

2016 record: 21-14 (7-3 Sunrise, third)

Returning letter winners (starters): Five (three)

Top athletes: OH Jessica Barnum (Sr.), OH Taylor Barnum (Sr.), S Calee Clem (Sr.)

Outlook: The Bulldogs return three starters from a team that finished third in the Sunrise League last season.

They’ll hope to make another playoff push this season.

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WORD OF LIFE

League: Class 1A Southern