Scottsdale Christian is seeking a three-peat.

But, with five new faces on the varsity team, the near future goal is creating a strong sisterhood.

“Right now we are so focused on building our unity” coach Kim Ohlinger said. “We don’t plan to talk about state. Building our foundation is our focus. We have a big target. We are a power house 2A program and thriving.”

Helping with the comradery duties are three captains, outside hitter Taylor Raiola, middle blocker Caroline Montgomery and middle blocker Janna Williams.

Raiola, an Air Force commit, is a six-rotation player. Montgomery is a 4-year varsity player and outstanding beach player.

And Williams quickly made herself at home.

She transferred in this season along with her father, Monty, the new coach of the Phoenix Suns.

The team’s returning juniors are “fantastic” club players, beginning with Sophia Wadsworth, the team’s best jumper. Another Wadsworth, Sarah, is a freshman outside hitter.

Sophia and Sarah’s father, Andre, played for the Arizona Cardinals. Raiola’s father, Dominic, also played in the NFL.

Another junior club player, Kylie Lynne, is a returning libero but might play on the outside as well since her vertical keeps improving. A sophomore who stepped in last year after an injury to a player and held her own will be the team’s setter, Lexi Lambert, this year.

Don’t expect Millennium to drop off

At about 6 p.m. Tuesday, the new starters for Millennium will take the floor.

“We hope teams feel that we are rebuilding,” Millennium coach Julie Vastine said. “Even though we suffered that big loss of players, we want that opportunity to show that the new players can fill the gap.”

Millennium’s 2018 banner season saw it win a state record 45 matches and the school’s first girls volleyball indoor title.

But almost every front row threat and some defensive mainstays completed their high school careers last year.

Not to worry. Some tall reinforcements landed at the campus during the offseason.

Sisters Annabella and Amberly Blowers transferred in from out state after their father was relocated to Luke Air Force Base. The Blowers are tall and will immediately fill some openings on the front row.

They’ll team up with another 6-footer up front, Boise State-bound Jordan Miller, in Millennium’s quest to repeat as 5A champ. Millennium also starts a player who missed the entire 2018 season with an ankle injury, Bianca Perez.

The sophomore and senior Hannah Waters will handle the setting duties.

“We are redefining ourselves,” Vastine said. “We will look different. We’ll be scrappy on defense. We are working on our passing game.”