Three time defending 5A state champion Horizon made a national statement Saturday afternoon at the Nike Tournament of Champions.

Facing top-ranked and defending national champion Mater Dei (CA) in the semifinal round in the National division, the Huskies stunned the Monarchs in three sets, 21-25, 25-16, 15-13. Nebraska bound Teraya Sigler led the way 15 kills. Horizon went on to beat Casteel in the championship match 25-15, 25-21 to capture the prestigeous title at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa.

The Huskies went 7-0 for the tournament, which included a Friday victory over Xavier Prep, who entered the tournament ranked No. 11, and which had not lost to an Arizona school this season. Horizon also got a revenge win early Saturday over Sunrise Mountain, the only 5A team to beat the Huskies this year.

But the victory over Mater Dei was the highlight of the tournament and a signifigant win for the Horizon program, a longtime Arizona power with six state championships since 2009.

"We're just a hard working team that said 'why not us?'" Sigler said after the tournament.

"One thing I've learned is you can't psyche yourself out before the match even starts. So I'm just so grateful for my team for staying with it and not psyching themselves out, because even a little school from Arizona can be the No. 1 team in the country."

Horizon may not be able to refer to its volleyball program as a "little school from Arizona" for much longer. The Huskies perfromance at the Nike TOC should be more than enough to get the attention of MaxPreps, the recognized Media outlet which determines national rankings and national champions in high school sports.

Second year coach McKenna Skaggs, who helped win titles as a Horizon player in 2009 and '10, insists the key to the Huskies elevated play has been the improvement and focus to play as a team. "A great team can't ever focus or run through one player. You have to work together to imptove together, and I thought all of our hitters and setters did an amazing job," McKenna said.

Horizon players and coaches pose after their championship win Saturday at the Nike Tournament of Champions. (Photo by Ben Stapley/AZPreps365) 

In the final match against Casteel, junior Sienna Markovich and freshman Nia Tinsley led Horizon with seven kills each. Sigler made her presence known with six kills, a couple of which were lethal-highlight reel. The senior may be the best player on the Husky roster, but Skaggs' team focus was operating at high octane for the entire tournament. 

Casteel also elevated its season over the weekend. The Colts went 6-0 before falling to Horizon, and beat Xavier on Saturday as well. After the Huskies took the first set 25-15, Casteel took control of game two. Kendall Omoruyi and Brooke Harwood led the Colts to a 15-11 lead before Horizon found its rhythm and went on a 14-6 run to close out the match and championship. 

"This was a great tournament for us and a lot of the local teams," Casteel coach Cory Chandler said. "I wish we could've played better towards the end against Horizon, but we acoomplished some great things this week."

For complete results go to: https://volleyball.exposureevents.com/227616/nike-tournament-of-champions-southwest/schedule