Top four advance to 3A semifinals on Thursday

Safford falls in Round 1, Thatcher in quarters

By Raymundo Frasquillo

GOODYEAR – The Top 4 teams advanced to the 3A semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 13 as No. 4 Gilbert Christian (14-4, 16.2199) faces No. 1 Chandler Valley Christian (17-0 seeding, 27.4175 rating) at 5 p.m. and No. 3 Snowflake (15-2, 76.2199) meets No. 2 Phoenix Northwest Christian (15-2, 18.9723) at 7 p.m. on the Goodyear Millennium campus, 14802 West Wigwam Boulevard. The day and date are Thursday, Nov. 13.

The records for the four semifinalists are Valley Christian (32-10 overall, 17-0 seeding, 10-0 Central Region for first of six, 84-25 in sets), Northwest Christian (26-6, 15-2, 11-1 Metro Region for first of seven, 76-17), Snowflake (33-8-4, 15-2, 10-0 East Region for first of six, 88-26), and Gilbert Christian (29-7, 14-4, 10-2 Metro Region for second of seven, 79-29).

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Jocelyn Lunt (12) slams the ball toward Ganado senior defenders Connie Burns (11) and Kassidy Watchman (10). The Thatcher sophomore notched one of 39 kills recorded by the No. 11 Eagles against the No. 22 Hornets on Nov. 4.

The tourney finale is in the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1826 West McDowell Road, on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 12:15 p.m.

Graham County qualifiers, the No. 20 Makenna Farr-coached Bulldogs (8-9 seeding, 4.1911 rating) upset the No. 13 Tucson Empire Ravens (13-4, 8.0994) in five sets and the Marcie Lopeman-coached No. 11 Thatcher Eagles (11-6, 8.3554) sent home the No. 22 Ganado Hornets (11-6, 3.1708) with a 3-set loss during the Play-in Round on Nov. 4; the Bulldogs succumbed in three sets to top seed Chandler Valley Christian as No. 16 and the Eagles dispatched the No. 6 Show Low Cougars in four sets during the first round on Nov. 8; and Thatcher fell in three sets to No.3 Snowflake during the quarterfinals on Nov. 8.

3A Play-offs, Quarterfinals (Nov. 8)

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Ganado junior Kaitlyn Silversmith (20) receives a back row serve from Thatcher.*

Upper bracket results had No. 1 Chandler Valley Christian (17-0 seeding, 27.4175 rating) 3-0 (25-6, 25-5, 25- 8) over No. 8 Florence (14-3, 12.87981) and No. 4 Gilbert Christian 3-0 (25-17, 25-5, 25-18) over No. 5 Kayenta Monument Valley (15-2, 15.0051).

The lower bracket advancements were No. 3 Snowflake (15-2, 76.2199) 3-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-11, 25-20) over No. 11 Thatcher (11-6, 8.3554) and No. 2 Phoenix Northwest Christian 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-23) over No. 7 Surprise American Leadership – West Foothills.

3A Play-offs, First Round (Nov. 8)

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Thatcher lead-off server Shaylee Hughes (10) eyes the defensive alignment before tossing the ball up for a serve. The Eagles scored nearly half (38-80) of their points on serves.

One upset occurred, No. 11 Thatcher over No. 6 Show Low in four sets.

Play-in Round winners met the Top eight teams in the first round.

The upper bracket had No. 1 Chandler Valley Christian 3-0 (25-6, 25-5, 25- 8) over No. 16 Safford (8-9, 4.1911), No. 8 Florence 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-19) over No. 9 Yuma Catholic (16-2 seeding, 10.4217 rating), No. 5 Kayenta Monument Valley 3-1 (23-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-14) over No. 12 Tucson Tanque Verde (13-3, 8.304), and No. 4 Gilbert Christian 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-12) over No. 13 Tuba City (11-5, 7.971).

Lower bracket pairings had No. 3 Snowflake (15-2, 76.2199) 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-18) over No. 14 Chandler Seton Catholic Prep (11-7, 7.8125), No. 11 Thatcher (11-6, 8.3554) 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-20) over No. 6 Show Low (14-3, 13.5797), No. 7 Surprise American Leadership – West Foothills 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 25-22) over No. 10 Payson (13-5, 8.9539), and No. 2 Phoenix Northwest Christian 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-16) over No. 15 Lakeside Blue Ridge (9-8, 6.2373).

3A Play-in Round (Nov. 4)

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Matti Gallett (8) leaps up to send the ball toward a Ganado front row defender. The Thatcher junior scored a point for her effort.*

There was a lone upset, No. 20 Safford over No. 13 Empire in five sets.

It was No. 9 Yuma Catholic (16-2 seeding, 10.4217 rating) 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-20) over No. 24 Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (7-10, 0.6246), No. 10 Payson (13-5, 8.9539) 3-0 over No. 23 Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (7-10, 1.8962) No. 23, No. 11 Thatcher (11-6, 8.3554) 3-0 (25-20, 28-26, 27-25) over No. 22 Ganado (11-6, 3.1708), and No. 12 Tucson Tanque Verde (13-3, 8.3048) 3-0 over No. 21 Fort Defiance Window Rock (10-6, 3.2106).

Additionally, No. 20 Safford (8-9, 4.1911) 3-2 over No. 13 Tucson Empire (13-4, 8.0994), No. 14 Tuba City (11-5, 7.9710) 3-1 (25-14, 23-25, 25-17, 26-24) over No. 19 Parker (10-7, 4.8838), No. 17 Chandler Seton Catholic Prep (11-7, 7.8125) 3-1 (25-17, 25-17, 27-29, 25-22) over No. 18 Buckeye Odyssey Institute (11-7, 5.6447), and No. 16 Lakeside Blue Ridge (9-8, 6.2373) 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-21, 25-23) over No. 17 Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (11-7, 5.8825).

No. 20 SAFFORD Bulldogs (4.111 rating)

Safford (16-14 overall, 8-9 seeding, 4-4 South Region for fifth of nine) played 17 seeding matches with wins of 3-1 (17-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-10) over 4A Gila Region Rio Rico on Sept. 2, 3-1 (30-28, 25-14, 17-25, 25-14) over 4A Gila Region Sahuarita on Sept. 3, 3-0 (25-7, 25-18, 25-10) over Palo Verde Magnet on Sept. 15, 3-2 (25-17, 22-25, 18-25, 25-18, 15-13) over Thatcher on Sept.23, 3-0 (20-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-19) over 3A Metro Region Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood on Sept. 25, 3-0 over Catalina on Oct. 2, 3-0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-17) over Sabino on Oct. 16, and 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-9) over Andrada Polytechnic on Oct. 21 along with losses of 0-3 (11-25, 18-25, 21-25) to 3A East Region Lakeside Blue Ridge on Sept. 4, 2-3 (25-23, 25-20, 17-25, 21-25, 12-15) to 5A Sonoran Region Tucson Canyon del Oro on Sept. 8, 0-3 (12-25, 9-25, 11-25) to 3A Central Region Chandler Valley Christian on Sept. 16, 1-3 (9-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-25) to 3A East Region Snowflake on Sept. 30, 2-3 (11-25, 26-24, 20-25, 25-8, 13-15) to Empire on Oct. 8, 0-3 (13-25, 23-25, 13-25) to Pusch Ridge on Oct. 14, 0-3 (20-25, 17-25, 19-25) to Show Low on Oct. 20, 1-3 (24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 17-25) to Tanque Verde on Oct. 23, and 2-3 (18-25, 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 12-15) to Thatcher on Oct. 29.

The Makenna Farr-coached Bulldogs also went 2-3 during the San Tan Valley Combs tourney on Sept. 12-13 and 6-2 during the Snowflake tourney on Sept. 19-20.

Safford has a 13-member roster of eight seniors, three juniors, and two sophomores. The seniors are Marina Balistreri (11), Kai-Lee Cordova (5), Alana Foxworth (6), Jerzi Hawkins (8), Rhylie Klajda (4), Mia Peru (12), Bianca Quintero (7), and Alexis Rope (10); juniors Mackenna Macario (9), Jazzlyn Mortensen (3), and Lanae Shurtz (13); and sophomores Kassidy Anderson (2) and Jadyn Coy (1).

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Sophomore Alli Johnson (2) high-fives senior teammate Lanie Larsen as she substitutes for her.*

The Bulldogs competed in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Thatcher Eagles, along with Tucson schools, the Empire Ravens, the Andrada Polytechnic Mavericks, the Catalina Trojans, the Palo Verde Magnet Titans, the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, the Sabino Sabercats, and the Tanque Verde Hawks.

Farr is in her initial season as the head coach, following a 4-year stint (2021-24) by Robert Abalos (103-52-1 overall, 49-19 seeding, 27-9 region, 23-13 at home, 1-4 state playoffs, 2-0 play-in round).

3A No. 11 THATCHER Eagles (8.3554 rating)

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Tessa Bryce (5) checks the Hornets’ defensive positioning as she begins her serve delivery.*

Thatcher (15-14 overall, 11-6 seeding, 8-0 3A South Region for first of nine) played 17 seeding matches with wins of 3-0 (25-12 thrice) over 4A Gila Region Tucson Amphitheater on Aug. 27, 3-1 (27-25, 21-25, 25-12, 25-17) over 3A Central Region Chandler Seton Catholic Prep on Sept. 2, 3-0 (25-8, 25-21, 30-28) over Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian on Sept. 9, 3-2 (23-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-11, 15-13) over Tanque Verde on Sept. 30, 3-0 (25-9, 25-10, 25-15) over Andrada Polytechnic on Oct. 6, 3-0 (25-6, 25-6, 25-10) Catalina on Oct. 9, 3-0 over Empire on Oct. 14, 3-0 (25-10, 25-11, 25-10) over Palo Verde Magnet on Oct. 16, 3-1 (25-23, 16-25, 28-26, 25-20) over Pusch Ridge on Oct. 21, 3-0 (25-12, 25-8, 25-11) over Sabino on Oct. 24, and 3-2 (25-18, 23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 15-12) over Safford on Oct. 29 along with losses of 1-3 (18-25, 13-25, 25-15, 30-32) to 4A Gila Region Sahuarita on Sept. 11, in 3-sets to 3A Metro region Payson (21-25, 17-25, 18-25) on Sept. 15, and 2-3 (17-25, 25-22, 25-18, 18-25, 13-15) to Safford on Sept. 23, and 0-3 (16-25, 19-25, 21-25) to 3A Central Region Chandler Valley Christian on Oct. 2, 0-3 (17-25, 14-25, 23-25) to 3A East Region Snowflake on Oct. 7, and 0-3 (22-25, 23-25, 23-25) to 3A East Region Show Low on Oct. 27.

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Ganado junior Shaundin Dixon (8) follows the ball as it ascends during her serve.*

The Marcie Lopeman-coached Eagles also went 2-4 during the 2-day Mesa Westwood tourney on Sept. 5-6 and 3-4 during the 2-day Snowflake tourney Sept. 19-20.

Thatcher has a 14-member roster of five seniors, five juniors, and four sophomores. The seniors are Tyla Bryce (1), Shaylee Hughes (10), Lanie Larson (6), Makenzie Lunt (11), and Kylia Nelson (9); juniors Tessa Bryce (5), Marlee Farris (7), Matti Gallett (8), Taylor Henrie (14), and Lillie Welker (4); and sophomores Allie Johnson (2), Jocelyn Lunt (12), Payten Lunt (3), and Brinlee Skousen (13).

The Eagles competed in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Safford Bulldogs, along with Tucson schools, the Empire Ravens, the Andrada Polytechnic Mavericks, the Catalina Trojans, the Palo Verde Magnet Titans, the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, the Sabino Sabercats, and the Tanque Verde Hawks.

3A State Rankings

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Ganado junior Natalie Thacker (0) looks to a specific position where she wants to direct her serve.*

The statewide rankings for the Top 8 of 24 3A teams as of 11 a.m. on Oct. 31 were Chandler Valley Christian (17-0 seeding, 27.4175 rating) No. 1, Phoenix Northwest Christian (15-2, 18.9723) No. 2, Snowflake (15-2, 76.2199) No. 3, Gilbert Christian (14-4, 16.2199) No. 4, Kayenta Monument Valley (15-2, 15.0051) No. 5, Show Low (14-3, 13.5797) No. 6, Surprise American Leadership – West Foothills (13-3, 12.9361) No. 7, and Florence (14-3, 12.87981) No. 8.

Final rankings for teams ranked Nos. 9-24 as of 11 a.m. on Oct. 31 were Yuma Catholic (16-2, 10.4217) was No. 9, Payson (13-5, 8.9539) No. 10, Thatcher (11-6, 8.3554) No. 11, Tucson Tanque Verde (13-3, 8.3048) No. 12, Tucson Empire (13-4, 8.0994) No. 13, Tuba City (11-5, 7.9710) No. 14, Chandler Seton Catholic Prep (11-7, 7.8125) No. 15, and Lakeside Blue Ridge (9-8, 6.2373) No. 16.

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Senior Makenzi Lunt (11) has her eyes glued to the ball as she tosses it up for a serve.*

Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (11-7, 5.8825) was No. 17, Buckeye Odyssey Institute (11-7, 5.6447) No. 18, Parker (10-7, 4.8838) No. 19, Safford (8-9, 4.1911) No. 20, Fort Defiance Window Rock (10-6, 3.2106) No. 21, Ganado (11-6, 3.1708) No. 22, Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (7-10, 1.8962) No. 23, and Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (7-10, 0.6246) No. 24.

The Oct. 3 or end of first week statewide rankings were Chandler Valley Christian (11-0 seeding, 23.5500 rating) No. 1, Phoenix Northwest Christian (9-1, 18.4450) No. 2, Gilbert Christian (9-3, 13.4548) No. 3, Snowflake (7-2, 12.3288) No. 4, Florence (8-1, 10.9422), No. 5, Kayenta Monument Valley (8-2, 10.0632) No. 6, Show Low (8-2, 9.6836) No. 7, and Payson (9-2, 8.7685) No. 8.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Senior Chandyn Denetso (7) sends the over the outstretched hands of Thatcher seniors Kylia Nelson (9) and Lanie Larson (6). The Ganado senior scored a point on the play.

Tucson Empire (8-2, 8.3420) was No. 9, Yuma Catholic (9-1, 7.6493) No. 10, Buckeye Odyssey Institute (7-3, 7.4723) No. 11, Safford (6-4, 7.1150) No. 12, Chandler Seton Catholic Prep (6-4, 6.9887) No. 13, Thatcher (4-4, 5.8980) No. 14, Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (7-5, 5.8888) No. 15, and Lakeside Blue Ridge (5-4, 5.7004) No. 16.

Tucson Tanque Verde (6-3, 4.5450) was No. 17, Surprise American Leadership – West Foothills (4-3, 4.0942) No. 18, Fort Defiance Window Rock (6-2, 2.9266) No. 19, Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (5-6, 2.6603) No. 20, Tuba City (5-4, 2.5218) No. 21, Ganado (6-3, 2.2120) No. 22, Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (4-6, 2.1396) No. 23, and Coolidge (6-3, 1.3697) No. 24.