Arizona 3A North Fall Sports Preview

Arizona 3A North conference volleyball and cross-country teams have kicked off the season.

Look for the Monument Valley Lady Mustangs volleyball team to be a strong contender. Last year they won the 3A state title and were undefeated for the season.

In cross country, the Arizona Interscholastic Association approved a new division that eliminates conference championships and state classification championships. All 3A North schools are in the new Division III.

Monument Valley

Monument Valley brings a strong tradition in volleyball.

"There isn't a big secret behind the volleyball success at Monument Valley High School," said Mustangs head coach Lucinda Nash. "We practice, practice, practice."

Nash said the program struggled in the 70s but took off in the latter part of 80s. In 1993 the school won its first-ever state volleyball championship.

This year, the Lady Mustangs have senior hitter Bradley Nash back. She led the team to a 23-0 season record last year and 10-0 in conference.

Cross-country head coach Josh Placke didn't return calls for an interview.

Chinle

Chinle High has one of largest school enrollments in 3A North with 1,058 students and they are one of the best cross-country teams in state regardless of classification.

Under coach Shaun Martin, Chinle will be seeking another state title in the girls' division and hoping for a state title in the boys' division. They will to accomplish this in the new state division for cross country - Division III.

Last year's girls individual state champion, Rolanda Jumbo, will return as team's top runner and go for her third straight state title come November.

For the boys, Jonothan Yazzie, Searle Tracey, Derrick Joey and Nathaniel Hardy will lead the team.

Char Salabyie takes over as head volleyball coach this year and hopes to turn the program around after last year's team finished 4-15 overall and 0-11 in conference.

Salabyie didn't return calls for team previews by press time Wednesday.

Tuba City

The defending 3A state champion boys' team brings back a strong lineup. Led by defending state champion Billy Orman and 7th place finisher Dennis Klain, Tuba City will miss former state champion Ryan Yazzie who graduated in May.

For the girls' team, after finishing third at state behind Chinle and Sedona Red Rock, the Lady Warriors have senior April Tracy, junior Kialee Birdingground and senior Tatiyanah Johnson back for another season.

Tracy finished third at state behind Chinle's Jumbo and Charnelle Curley. Curley has also graduated.

With only two returning starters from last year's state semifinal team, coach Harland Barlow has his hands full with this year's volleyball team.

Barlow will have junior Jamie Roe and sophomore Kristen Becenti from last year's team. Last year the Lady Warriors made a run at Monument Valley for the top seed at state, but finished as  runner-up in conference with a 8-2 record and 21-3 overall.

Ganado

Once a dominant team in cross country, Ganado has been rebuilding for several years. Coach Anna James will have plenty of newcomers to the boys and girls varsity teams.

According to James, the boys' team will have two lead runners that moved up from last year's junior varsity team, Dion Salabye and Orin Begay. The boys' team finished third at state last year.

For the girls' team, James said freshman Chelsea Claw and senior Diandra James will be the top runners, though six girls are returning from last year's team.

Volleyball coach Jerome Burns is getting his second chance to lead the volleyball team back to its once dominanting play.

Last year the Lady Hornets finished 2-8 in conference and 7-13 overall and didn't qualify for state.

Burns didn't return calls at press time for team preview.

Window Rock

After last year's state qualifying playoffs, the Lady Scouts finished the volleyball season with a12-8-2 overall record and 5-4 in conference, which was enough for a fourth place finish.

Window Rock returns top players Ashley Mitchell and Coralie Clark, both seniors. Junior libero Autumn Tsosie-Hood will play the important role in the backcourt.

The Lady Scouts finished second at the Rehoboth Invitational last week, losing to Arizona 3A state contender Snowflake in the championship match.

On the cross-country team, coach Stephen Fabina will have junior Monte Yazzie returning. The Lynx finished 6th at state last year and Yazzie was 9th overall.

For the girls' team, sophomores Yanibah Jaques and Dylan Goodwill return as the Lady Scouts' top runners. Jaques finished 13th overall and Goodwill was 22nd at state. Last year the team finished fifth.

Back to top ^