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The Arizona boys high school volleyball playoffs begin this week across multiple conferences, culminating in championships on May 16. Defending champion Perry enters as the top seed with a perfect conference record and a strong roster.
The Arizona boys high school volleyball playoff tournaments are getting underway this week in 6A, 5A, 4A and 3A conferences. They will conclude with championship matches on May 16.
Here is a rundown of teams to watch for in each AIA conference. First-round matches get underway in 6A, 5A and 4A on Friday, May 8, at the higher-seeded teams. The 3A tournament continues on Friday with quarterfinal matches.
Perry is the defending champion and looks poised to repeat this year as the No. 1 tournament seed. The Pumas enter the playoffs on a 16-game streak of 3-0 shutout wins in AIA conference matches (16-0 conference, 23-0-2 overall including in-season tournaments).
They are led by 6-9 junior middle blocker Tommy Hinege (No. 1 in 6A hitting percentage), 6-6 senior outside hitter Logan Gray (No. 7 in 6A hitting percentage) and 6-2 junior setter Tate Higgens (among top 10 in 6A for aces).
Top challengers include No. 2 seed Mesa Mountain View (16-0 in conference matches) and No. 3 Sandra Day O'Connor (17-0 conference). Neither of those teams played Perry in the regular season. The Eagles have lost only three sets in conference matches, the Toros just four.
Other teams to watch include No. 4 Chandler, No. 5 Brophy Prep and No. 6 Casteel.
Last year's conference champion Campo Verde (11-2 conference) is the No. 3 seed based on the AIA computer rankings, while last year's runner-up, Arizona College Prep (11-5 conference), is No. 5.
But don't count these teams out of a potential title rematch. They met twice in the regular season, splitting those matches. After losing that first one to the Knights, the Coyotes went on a tear, winning seven straight shutout matches (3-0), including the rematch on April 28.
Perry Pumas' Logan Gray (13) spikes the ball against the Highland Hawks during their AIA State Championship match at Skyline High School in Mesa, on May 17, 2025.
That said, 5A appears highly competitive, and No. 1 seed Glendale Independence (14-1 conference, 22-1 overall) has looked strong all season, as has No. 2 Cienega (15-1 conference, 16-1 overall). Marana Mountain View (14-2 conference) is seeded No. 4.
The playoffs start this week, with championship matches scheduled for May 16.
Perry is the defending champion and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
Perry has a 16-0 conference record and is 23-0-2 overall, including in-season tournaments.
Key players include Tommy Hinege, Logan Gray, and Tate Higgens, all ranked among the top in their positions.
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Defending 4A champion ALA Queen Creek (12-1, 16-1) is seeded No. 2, while sister school ALA Gilbert North (12-1 conference, 16-1 overall) is No. 1. They could be on a collision course for the state championship. They met twice in the regular season, splitting those matches.
Among others to watch is last year's runner-up Salpointe Catholic (8-2, 20-3 overall), seeded No. 4. Their only two losses this season were to the two ALA schools. Estrella Foothills (15-2, 17-2) is No. 2, and like Salpointe, their only two conference losses were to the ALA schools. Cactus Shadows (15-1, 16-1) is seeded No. 5
This conference tournament began on Tuesday, May 5, with the top-two ranked teams appearing on track for a rematch of last year's championship, in which Northwest Christian defeated ALA West Foothills.
ALA West Foothills entered this year's state tournament ranked No. 1 and looking dominant. They are undefeated heading into the May 8 quarterfinal match against No. 9 St. John Paul II, having lost just one set in conference play — to Northwest Christian, in their only regular season match.
That loss was the only blemish on the season so far for the No. 2-seeded Crusaders, who take on No. 7 North Valley Christian in a quarterfinal match on Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona boys high school volleyball playoff preview