Window Rock looking to build off last season’s success

WINDOW ROCK

From top to bottom, the 3A North should have another competitive volleyball league.

The state’s northeast region qualified five teams to the Arizona 3A Play-In Game last season with the Monument Valley Mustangs and the Window Rock Lady Scouts making the 16-team state tournament field.

The Scouts were ousted in the first round by eventual state champion Chandler Valley Christian, finishing the regular season at 25-13-1 overall.

Despite losing three seniors including 3A North All-Region, First-Team middle blocker/hitter Devae Willie, third-year head coach Ashley Mitchell is feeling optimistic about the 2025 season. She’s hoping to build off last season’s success and playoff appearance.

“If we do the little things and keep our bodies healthy I think we can finish in the top three in our conference,” Mitchell said. “We just have to stick to the fundamentals and have a positive mindset. We’ve been preaching that since the beginning of the season.”

Mitchell, who finalized her varsity roster last week, returns five seniors from last year’s squad. They include Mia Stefaniak, Kourtney Bitselley, Allyson Emerson, Catelin James and Samira White.

Of those players, Stefaniak is the team’s returning libero while the setting duties will be shared by Emerson and James.

Window Rock will look to Bitselley to lead the team’s hitting. She’s also expecting big things from middle hitter Samira White, who stands at 5-foot, 10 inches.

“We have a lot of height this year,” Mitchell said. “Last year, we didn’t have height, so I think our strengths this year is going to be our blocking. Not only that, we have returners that have experience coming back after the great season we had last year.”

With the experience they have, Mitchell believes her team will be a few notches ahead of last year’s squad.

“I’m teaching them to be more strategic,” she said. “That’s what we’re working on, and not so much of me teaching them the fundamentals.”

The biggest highlight last season was beating perennial 3A powerhouse Monument Valley in four sets during the 3A North Region tournament finale.

“I think that win opened their eyes,” Mitchell said of her squad. “It showed them what their capable of and just how talented they are.”

With a veteran squad, Mitchell says they have elevated their expectations.

“Basically, we want to surpass what we did last season,” she said. “Obviously, our expectations are going to be a lot higher this year because I know what the girls can do. My seniors know the expectations of the program and now they’re teaching the younger ones.

“One thing that I try to emphasize is that championship teams are player led, and not led by coaches.”

The Scouts open the season with Hopi on Aug. 27 in Fort Defiance. The home slate includes the 11-team tournament they are hosting on Aug. 29-30 followed by home games with Alchesay (Sept. 2) Wingate (Sept. 4), Miyamura (Sept. 9) and Holbrook (Sept. 13).

The Scouts will then travel to Chinle for its 3A North opener on Sept. 16.

“We have a lot of home games to start the season,” Mitchell said.

As for the 11-team tournament, the teams that have committed include Chinle, Greyhills Academy, Holbrook, Hopi, Navajo Prep, Rock Point, St. Michael, Valley, Window Rock, Wingate, and Winslow.

The Scouts will also take part in the Four Corners Honors Tournament on Sept. 5-6, which is hosted by Farmington High School. The Mitchell-coached is also headed to the three-day Rehoboth Christian Volleyball Tournament that starts on Sept. 25.

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