The Sunrise Mountain Mustangs (31-8) varsity volleyball team from Peoria, AZ, will host a playoff match against the Ironwood Eagles (14-18) from Glendale, AZ, on Tuesday, November 12, at 6 p.m. This game is part of the 2024 AIA State Girls Volleyball Championships for Conference 5A in Arizona.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Arizona High School Volleyball
Who: Sunrise Mountain vs Ironwood
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 6 PM
Bracket: 2024 AIA State Girls Volleyball Championships (Arizona) – Conference 5A
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Game preview: Sunrise Mountain vs Ironwood

The Ironwood Eagles and Sunrise Mountain Mustangs are gearing up for an intense showdown as they face off in the Arizona High School Volleyball playoffs. Sunrise Mountain has dominated Ironwood in their previous two matchups this season, winning both by 3-0 sweeps. However, with both teams motivated and the stakes at their highest, this playoff match promises to bring even more competition.

Team Overviews

Ironwood Eagles (24-25, 14-18 overall)
The Eagles have had a mixed season with a .438 win percentage, including a 5-5 record within their section. Though they’ve shown grit with impressive performances against some common opponents, Ironwood has struggled against top-tier teams, as highlighted by their previous losses to Sunrise Mountain. Despite this, Ironwood boasts strengths in digs (1881) and kills (824), with standout performances by #9 Malaya Gibbs (250 kills) and #3 Ashley Logan, who leads the team with 695 assists.

Sunrise Mountain Mustangs (24-25, 31-8 overall)
The Mustangs, with an impressive 31-8 record and a perfect 10-0 in league play, have been a force throughout the season. With a high win percentage (.795) and solid performances at home (9-0), away (8-1), and in neutral sites (14-7), Sunrise Mountain has excelled in all environments. Key players such as #12 Addison Wiemann (545 kills) and #2 Lily Rolfes (1081 assists) anchor the Mustangs’ dominance in kills, assists, and blocks. Their balanced, powerful play is underscored by their team’s remarkable 225 serving aces.

Previous Head-to-Head Matchups

Sunrise Mountain has beaten Ironwood twice this season, each time with a decisive 3-0 score. On September 30, Sunrise Mountain won with set scores of 25-14, 28-26, and 25-17. The October 23 rematch saw Sunrise Mountain maintain control with a 25-14, 25-10, 25-14 victory. Ironwood will need to adjust their game plan to break the Mustangs’ rhythm in the upcoming match.

Key Statistical Comparisons

• Kills: Sunrise Mountain has the edge with 1390 kills compared to Ironwood’s 824.
• Blocks: The Mustangs have also shown greater strength in blocking, with 190 blocks to the Eagles’ 130.
• Serving Aces: Sunrise Mountain’s serving game shines, totaling 225 aces to Ironwood’s 201.
• Assists: The Mustangs’ fluid teamwork is demonstrated with 1330 assists, nearly doubling Ironwood’s 767.

Match Outlook

For Ironwood, containing the explosive offense of players like Addison Wiemann and Lily Rolfes will be essential. They’ll need to focus on improving their blocking and consistency to reduce Sunrise Mountain’s scoring runs. Meanwhile, Sunrise Mountain will aim to keep up their aggressive style, particularly capitalizing on their serving and blocking advantages.

Prediction

Based on the season record and head-to-head results, Sunrise Mountain enters this playoff match as the favorite. However, Ironwood’s resilience and the pressure of the playoffs mean they could push the Mustangs to a more competitive battle.

Will Ironwood pull off an upset, or will Sunrise Mountain continue their dominant run? All eyes will be on this high-stakes rematch on November 12 at 6 p.m.