Defending 4A champ Greenway suffered a loss before playing a match this volleyball season.

Senior Megan Mattingly, Greenway’s third leading hitter last year, sprained a knee during a camp and will be out for 4-8 weeks. The six rotation, right pin hitter was expected to play a bigger role this year.

“We are going to miss her (Mattingly) leadership and experience,” veteran Greenway coach Sarah Peterson said. “Her defense is amazing and covers the court well and puts up a big block.”

Because of Mattingly’s injury, Peterson will employ a two setter offense instead of a 5-1 this year.

But Peterson’s two setters, juniors Emma Swartz and Avery Richard, are experienced and ready to go. Greenway will be without Mattingly for a good portion of the season, but it does carry one of Arizona’s elite sophomores, 6-foot-1 Tatum Parrott.

Parrott was second in kills for Greenway last season and unlike last year will play in the back row this year. Parrott’s sister, Grace, Greenway’s second leading blocker last year, also returns and should be a force in the middle.

What’s missing, however, is back row experience.

“We definitely have the firepower,” Peterson said. “But the big key is if we can pass and play D like in the past year.”

Greenway's Tatum Parrott. Photo by Mark Jones/maxpreps.com.

Mogollon out to defend title

Mogollon is he defending 1A Conference champ. Photo by Jim Willittes/maxpreps.com.

After two 1A state runner up endings, last year was a season of firsts for Mogollon.

Mogollon won its first title in the 30-year history of the program and did so under first-year coach Valerie Reynolds.

What made last season’s title even more sweeter for Reynolds was that she played for Mogollon.

“It was great,” Reynolds said, “seeing the reaction and how excited the girls were.”

Mogollon wouldn’t mind celebrating again this year.

To recapture the championship magic, the team’s new setters are working on consistently linking with four returning starters.

Another Hancock, Ellie, a freshman, will help run Mogollon’s offense. Last year’s team was guided by a senior leader, Lauren, Hancock’s sister.

Welcoming Hancock and hard-working sophomore setter Tylinn Mclaws as starters will be seniors Jill Maner, Hannah Ballesteros and Tyra Parry and junior Isabella Horne. They are six rotation players who are tall and play great defense, Reynolds said.

“(The four) have a love for the game and a bond,” Reynolds said. “There’s great leadership there. They took the young girls under their wing.

“I think we can defend our title. I am confident.”

Mogollon's Hannah Ballesteros. Photo by Jim Willittes/maxpreps.com