Sosaia Mataele

Athlete of the week

Sosaia Mataele: The Mesa senior outside hitter has been one of the key reasons for the Jackrabbits’ 7-0 start. Before going on spring break, Mataele had 18 kills, three blocks and three aces in wins over Gilbert Mesquite and Chandler.

Beyond the box score

With another state championship secured, Michael Proctor can now turn his attention to volleyball. The 6-foot-8 middle blocker got a late start because he was leading Phoenix Desert Vista to the 5A-I state basketball title, scoring 16 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the title game against Phoenix St. Mary’s.

Thunder volleyball coach Ryan Tolman said his team only got one practice at full strength before going to the Las Vegas tournament earlier this week.

“Michael really progressed while we were there,” Tolman said. “He seemed to find his rhythm a bit near the end, and he was named to the all-tournament team. I think we did some nice things we can build on for the future. We still have a long ways to go, but I am encouraged with how we have progressed.”

The defending state champions were 14th out of 48 teams at the Las Vegas tourney, finishing second in the bronze division.

Highland highlights

The other East Valley team in the Las Vegas invitational was Gilbert Highland, which competed in the gold division and lost in the quarterfinals to Buchanan High of Clovis, Calif.

Hawks coach Vee Hiapo said her squad did well against some great team; middle blocker Parker Del Re also made the all-tournament team and held his own against some big competition.

“He was unbelievable and the talk of the tournament,” Hiapo said of Del Re, who averaged more than 10 kills per match in the eight Highland played. “Phenomenal against the California and Nevada teams that averaged 6-6 and above in height in the middle.”

Power points

Less than a month into the season isn’t a lot of time, but it is still interesting to see how the power point race is shaping up, going into region play. The Division I ranking has a decidedly non-East Valley feel to it.

No. 1 is Tucson Salpointe Catholic (8-0), despite its loss to Gilbert in the final of the Tucson Canyon del Oro tournament last weekend. That’s because tournament matches don’t count in power points. The aforementioned Tigers (7-0) are second, followed by Tucson High (6-1), Mesa (7-0) and Anthem Boulder Creek (7-0). On the outside, defending champ Desert Vista (3-1) is 17th.

In Division II, Tucson Sahuaro (5-1) is on top. Tempe Marcos de Niza (3-1) is the highest ranked East Valley team at No. 11.

Looking ahead

With most of the schools back from spring break, region play begins in Division I. Among the key matchups are Mesa at Mesa Mountain View on Thursday, Gilbert at Gilbert Mesquite on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday the battle of Ahwatukee Foothills — Desert Vista at Phoenix Mountain Pointe.