6A
The Broncos went 16-1 in the 2023-24 regular season, with their only loss coming to No. 1 Sandra Day O'Connor, the team they defeated in the 6A title game. Brophy opens the season Tuesday night (March 4) against Basha. The Broncos are coached by Tony Oldani, who was named
The Arizona Republic’s Coach of the Year in 2024. The team’s top players from last season, Connor Oldani and Carson Collier-Ehrich, have graduated. Key returning players who are seniors this year include middle blocker Abram Acunin, setters Evan Caplan and Colin Zimmerman, who was ranked 15th in the nation for assists in 2024, and outside hitter Frank Sunderhaus.
Perry: The Pumas are led by coach Ryan Tolman, who won state championships in
2021 and 2023. The 2024 season saw the No. 3-seeded Pumas making it to the semifinals, losing to eventual state champion, Brophy. Key returning players include sophomore Everett Wagner, an AIA first-team All-Region selection last year, along with sophomore outside hitter Greyson Carter, a second-team region selection last year. Also, 6-foot-7 senior middle blocker Caden Ledbetter returns. He was second in 6A last year with a hitting percentage of 0.485 and averaged 3.8 kills per set.
Sandra Day O’Connor: Finn Kearney, one of the best players in the state the past several seasons, graduated along with Braeden Baker. Both were named to The Republic's All-Arizona boys volleyball team last year. The Eagles have been one of the state's top programs, with four championship appearances in the last six seasons, winning the state title in 2022 behind head coach Troy Dueling. They have plenty of returning senior leadership, among them libero Diego Garcia and outside hitter Carter King. Both were AIA first team region selections as juniors last year.
Williams Field: The Black Hawks were the No. 1 team in 5A last year and defeated Casteel in the 5A championship. However, they had to forfeit the title because of an AIA bylaw violation involving an unsanctioned in-season scrimmage. This came after they had lost only once, to Casteel earlier in the season. So, the Black Hawks could be entering this season with a chip on their shoulder as they move up to 6A. They have plenty of returning senior leadership, including senior setter Luke Raymond, an AIA first-team region selection last year, and senior libero Tragdon Jenkins, a second-team region selection in 2024.
Casteel: Casteel was awarded the 5A state title last year following the
AIA’s decision to vacate the Williams Field championship win over the Colts. Casteel also won the 5A title in 2021 and 2023. Last year, Casteel entered the playoffs in the No. 2 seed, going undefeated at home and beating 6A teams Chandler and Millennium. Like the Black Hawks, they are now in 6A and will be tested right away, with their first two games of the season this week against last year's 6A championship finalists, O'Connor and Brophy. Key returning players include senior middle blocker Brody Hirst, an AIA first-team All-Conference honoree last year, and senior libero Layton Bluth, the 5A Conference defensive player of the year.
Others to watch: Highland, Mesa Mountain View, Shadow Ridge, Chandler. All were among the top seeds in last year's 6A playoff bracket and return key players.
