Athlete of the week - Christina McGuire: Sometimeses an impact player in badminton is not always the No. 1 player.

McGuire, a senior who plays the third or fourth position for third-ranked Scottsdale Chaparral, has been close to invaluable.

“She basically has helped the other athletes raise their level of play,” said Firebirds coach Carrie Davis. “In addition to being 9-0, she is confident, competitive and always on the correct path.”

Week in review

Phoenix Xavier’s Vianett Mena and Phoenix Mountain Pointe’s Ashley Dreas are the top two singles seeds in Saturday’s 24-team Mesa Dobson Invitational, which includes 19 of the top 20 teams in 5A.

“This is one of two opportunities for (some) of best in 4A and the best in 5A to get to play each other,” said Nancy Ellis, long-time badminton coach and tournament official. Mena, a senior, was last year’s individual winner, while Dreas, also a senior, was a winner in doubles.

From the East Valley, Scottsdale Desert Mountain’s Emily Harris will be seeded third, Amy Cappuccio of Chandler fourth, Phoenix Desert Vista’s Melissa Vasley fifth, Mandi Winters of Gilbert Mesquite sixth, and Mesa Westwood’s Angela Vega eighth.

In doubles, Chandler’s Guadalupe Farfan and Alheli Jacquez and Red Mountain’s Sara Washburn and Kayla Ensminger are the top two seeds.

Looking ahead

Featured matches: Oct. 6: Dobson Invitational at Dobson, begins 9 a.m.; Oct. 8: Chandler at Gilbert, 3:30 p.m.; Mountain Pointe at Xavier, 3:30 p.m.; Desert Vista at Desert Mountain, 3:30 p.m.