Ever eaten chips and salsa and there’s that one bite that seems to have all the spiciness? That was Notre Dame Prep AZ in the National Division on Day 1 of the Nike TOC Southwest tournament in the greater Phoenix area. While all the heavy hitters (top seeds) advanced into the 16-team qualifying round Saturday morning, it was the Saints pulling the surprise and forging their way into the mix in unexpected fashion. Could they be one of the eight teams to advance to the platinum bracket and continue to shock everyone when play continues Saturday? Why not?

I mean, as a No. 4 team there was no way Notre Dame was supposed to break ranks and remain in contention. And not only did the Saints go to bed Friday night knowing they still had a chance to continue their underdog run, they will do so having won their Day 1 pool as the No. 4 team! That happens about as often as a blood moon.

However, it was in the stars Friday for Notre Dame Prep, which upset No. 6 Hamilton AZ, 22-25, 25-17, 15-9, on its way to a 3-0 showing in Pool F. The Saints also took care of Dunbar KY and Santa Fe Christian CA, both in straight sets, to come out of the pool unscathed and make waves as the only No. 4 team in any pool to stay in the hunt for the championship.

Notre Dame Prep was the lowest seed to advance but not the only team to pull an upset to move on. Faith Lutheran NV, Sacred Heart Academy KY and Vista Murrieta CA – all Nos. 3 teams in their respective pools – each finished second behind the Nos. 1 teams and are in the Top 16 Saturday morning.

As for the top eight seeds, outside of Hamilton they fared very well. Of the remaining seven top seeds, only Mater Dei CA dropped a set. It came in a three-set victory, 25-21, 23-25, 15-12, over Xavier Prep AZ. The third set was tied at 12 before the Monarchs rolled off the final three points on a kill from Babi Gubbins followed by a kill from Cymarah Gordon and block by Gordon and Preston Johnson. Outside of that, Cornerstone Christian TX, Mira Costa CA, Marymount CA, Corona del Sol AZ, Millennium AZ and Horizon AZ – all Nos. 1 teams in their pool – each went 6-0 in winning their pools.

Here’s how Saturday’s morning matches to get to the final eight stack up:

Cornerstone Christian v Faith Lutheran
Corona del Sol v Hamilton
Mira Costa v Queen Creek
Notre Dame Prep v Bishop Gorman
Mater Dei v Sunnyslope
Millennium v Vista Murrieta
Marymount v Los Alamitos
Horizon v Sacred Heart

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TEAM SPOTLIGHTS

In our preview earlier this week, we took a look at the top eight seeds. Here’s a closer look at a few of the other teams to make it to the Top 16.

Notre Dame Prep AZ – The Saints have done well riding the arm of junior outside Evan Hendrix and the dishing ability of senior setter Lexi Yoza. They have helped the team to a 17-4 mark after Friday’s play. The team has also received solid play from rookie libero Cassidy Graninger. The freshman is averaging 3.3 digs per set. Meanwhile, senior middle Kennedy Graninger is second on the team in kills.

Queen Creek AZ – The Bulldogs survived a tough pool Friday, beating a strong Timpview UT squad in the 2 v 3 match to advance. It was the same Timpview team that made the Top 16 at the Durango Fall Classic two weekends ago. Leading the way is junior outside Blaykli Bobik. Queen Creek has also received major contributions from freshman outside Madisyn Crnjac, who is second in kills. The Bulldogs also rely on an underclassman in the backrow in sophomore libero Izzy Mahaffey.

Sunnyslope AZ – The Vikings have turned in a few impressive wins this season, including victories over Horizon, Millennium and Corona del Sol. They took care of Desert Vista AZ and Bishop’s CA before losing to Marymount in the last contest. Most of the players the Vikings rely on are non-seniors. It includes sophomore setter Kaia Pixler, junior libero Andie Purdy, sophomore outside Georgi Stein, junior outside Mikayla Shepston and sophomore right side Laney Wilson.

Bishop Gorman NV – The Gaels clinched a spot in the Top 16 with victories against Sunrise Mountain AZ and Mead WA before going down to Corona del Sol in the 1 v 2 matchup. Bishop Gorman has a tremendous freshman talent in outside Ayanna Watson. Both middles in senior Katelyn Eberwein and junior Ashley Duckworth hit at high percentage while junior outside Leilia Toailoa is the team’s kill leader.

Faith Lutheran NV – The Crusaders swept Ontario Christian CA in their first match then held off Arcadia AZ in three to earn second place. The day ended with a loss to Mira Costa. Junior outside Bianca Richardson is the go-to hitter who the Crusaders rely on to produce a lot of offense. Senior Haylee Strong is a reliable option in the middle as well while junior Italya Cloyd chips in on the right side.

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UNDER THE RADAR PLAYERS

Erin Clark FR L Corona del Sol AZ

Ella Lomigora MB SR Corona del Sol AZ

Maggie Beauer JR RS Corona del Sol AZ

Genesis Casillas SR OH Cornerstone Christian TX

Natalie Adams SR S Cornerstone Christian TX

Sydney Metcalf JR OH Queen Creek AZ

Lucinda Scheurn MB SR Queen Creek AZ

Olivia Lenz SO L Xavier Prep AZ

Ava Larkin SR S/RS Xavier Prep AZ

Rebecca Liu FR MB Bishop’s CA

Shelby Gorospe MB SR Sunrise Mountain AZ

Emily Pruitt JR OH Sunrise Mountain AZ

Angie Cooper SR OH Santa Fe Christian CA

Gia Rivera FR RS Notre Dame Belmont CA

Talea Mitchell JR MB Millennium AZ

GG Greenlee SR MB Horizon AZ

Brielle Wilson SO S Mead WA

Cassie Moeller JR OH Mead WA

Danikah Johnson JR MB Mead WA

Italya Cloyd JR RS Faith Lutheran NV

Bianca Richardson JR OH Faith Lutheran NV

Madison Baker SR OH Ontario Christian CA

Silina Damuni SR S Timpview UT

Taylah Kaufusi JR RS Timpview UT

Mikayla Marich SR OH Vista Murrieta CA

Rhys Layton SR S Eagle ID

Kaeley Thoney Walz JR S/RS Sacred Heart Academy KY

Delaney Gash JR OH Dunbar KY

Lexi Yoza SR S Notre Dame Prep AZ

Georgi Stein SO OH Sunnyslope AZ

Laney Wilson SO RS Sunnyslope AZ

Jenna Werbelow JR L Desert Vista AZ

Neyah Davison SR OH Desert Vista AZ

Hayden Conner FR MB Desert Vista AZ

Bailey Johnson SR OH Emerald Ridge WA

Kaia Herweg JR OH Los Alamitos CA

Anna Sanzaro JR MB Los Alamitos CA