Region lead at stake in Thatcher on Tuesday

13 October 2026

2026-10-13 10:00:00
News Director

Bulldogs welcome No. 36 Panthers as No. 25

By Raymundo Frasquillo

THATCHER – The Marcie Lopeman-coached No. 15 Thatcher Eagles (9-2, 11.7446 rating) host the No. 11 Pusch Ridge Christian Lions (7-2, 12.1629) on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The region contest has a 6 p.m. start.

Across the county at the same date and time, No. 25 Safford (5-6, 1.3021) welcomes No. 36 Amphitheater (5-6, minus 6.7940).

Also this week (Oct. 13-17) for 3A South Region members, No. 13 Tanque Verde (9-2, 11.9884) hosts No. 46 Palo Verde Magnet (0-10, minus 24.2671) on Oct. 13; Pusch Ridge hosts Palo Verde Magnet and Tanque Verde visits No. 21 Empire (7-5, 3.6750) on Wednesday, Oct. 14; Empire hosts Safford and No. 40 Andrada Polytechnic (3-5, minus 8.9395) hosts Palo Verde Magnet on Thursday, Oct. 15; and Pusch Ridge and Thatcher will be participating in the 2-day, 15-team Marana Mountain View tourney on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17.

Andrada Polytechnic visited 2A South Region Tucson San Miguel on Oct. 12.

3A No. 11 Pusch Ridge Christian Lions (7-2 seeding, 12.1629 rating)

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Safford senior Jazzlyn Mortensen’s (3) hit gets past the out-stretched hands of Thatcher senior Mattilynn Gallett (8) and junior Jocelyn Lunt (12). The back row Eagles were able to keep the ball in play during a Safford tourney pairing on Oct. 3.

The Jamie DeSmet-coached Pusch Ridge Christian Lions (9-17 overall, 7-2 seeding, 3-1 region) have seeding wins of 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 25-11, 25-14) over Florence on Aug. 27, of 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-23) over BuckeyeOdyssey Institute on Sept. 10, of 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-9) over Coolidge on Sept. 17, of 3-1 (25-14, 19-25, 25-14, 25-9) over Safford on Sept. 23, of 3-0 (25-8, 25-16, 25-9) over Sabino on Sept. 24, of 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-13) over Empire on Sept. 26, and of 3-1 (23-25, 25-14, 25-11, 25-10) over Andrada Polytechnic on Oct. 1, along with losses of 0-3 (11-25, 24-26, 18-25) to Chandler Valley Christian on Sept. 8 and of 2-3 (18-25, 17-25, 17-25) to Tanque Verde on Sept. 16.

In addition, Pusch Ridge went 8-3-2 during the 2-day Payson tourney on Sept. 4-5, and 2-2 during the 2-dayQueen Creek Benjamin Franklin tourney on Sept. 25-26. The Lions defeated Phoenix Horizon Honors 27-22, Gilbert Christian 25-22, Surprise Paradise Honors 27-19, Page 28-16, and Lakeside Blue Ridge 28-20 on Sept. 4; Phoenix North Valley Christian 2-0 (21-8, 15-10), Cottonwood Mingus 1-0 (NA) and Scottsdale Christian 25-17 on Sept. 5; and Sierra Vista Buena 2-0 (25-20, 25-19) and Williams 2-0 (25-18, 25-9) on Sept. 26; fell 0-2 (19-21, 5-8) to Scottsdale Christian, 0-2 (NA) to Blue Ridge, and 19-25 to Payson on Sept. 4, 0-2 (17-25, 22-25) to Buckeye and 0-2 (20-25, 22-25) to Scottsdale Cicero Prep on Sept. 25; and tied Scottsdale Christian 1-1 (21-19, 5-8) and Payson 1-1 (21-18, 4-9) on Sept. 4.

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Jaycee Gable (14) awaits Veritas Prep senior Caroline Bushard’s (8) hit as it nears her hands. The Safford senior made the block.*

Pusch Ridge lists a 12-member roster of five seniors, five juniors, and two sophomores. The seniors are Maddie Abrams (25), Sasha Gardiner (16), Ryse Howlett (7), Brooke Sanburn (14), and Noelle Sunukjian (0); juniors Sophia Atvizu-Zarazua (24), Kenley Dubs (8), Eliza Fricke (6), Ashlyn Hammack (20), and NoelleNelson (3); and sophomores Aubrey Abrams (4) and Sophia Jones (22).

The Lions are competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Safford Bulldogs, the Thatcher Eagles, and Tucson schools the Amphitheater Panthers, the Andrada Polytechnic Mustangs, the Empire Ravens, the Palo Verde Magnet Titans, the Sabino Sabercats, and the Tanque Verde Hawks.

3A No. 9 Thatcher Eagles (9-2 seeding, 11.7446 rating)

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Alli Johnson (11) checks the defensive alignment before delivering a serve. The Thatcher junior is one of two setters listed on the Eagles’ roster.*

The Marcie Lopeman-coached Thatcher Eagles (19-9 overall, 9-2 seeding, 3-0 region) have seeding wins of 3-0 (25-12, 25-6, 25-13) over Sabino on Aug. 27, of 3-1 (27-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-17) over Florence on Sept. 1, of 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-21) over Show Low on Sept. 8, of 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-17) over Coolidge on Sept. 10, of 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-11) over Safford on Sept. 15, of 3-0 (25-11, 25- 9, 25- 13) over Palo Verde Magnet on Sept. 21, of 3-2 (25-21, 12-25, 21-25, 25-19, 15-10) over Empire on Sept. 23, of 3-1 (25-20, 26-24, 23-25, 25-18) over Safford on Sept. 29, and of 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-7) over Amphitheater on Oct. 5 along with lossesof 1-3 (24-26, 25-22, 22-25, 20-25) to Payson on Oct. 1 and 0-3 (14-25, 22-25, 19-25) to Chandler Seton Catholic on Oct. 7.

In addition, Thatcher went 3-5 during the 2-day, 36-team Mesa Westwood tourney on Sept. 11-12 and 8-3 during the 2-day, 13-team Safford tourney on Oct. 2-3. The Eagles defeated Tempe McClintock 2-1 (24-26, 25-19, 15-13) and Mesa Dobson 2-0 (25-16, 25-21) on Sept. 11 as well as Prescott 2-0 (25-23, 25-15) on Sept. 12, Phoenix Veritas Prep 26-24, Saint David 25-21, San Tan Valley Combs 29-21, Globe 30-9, and Willcox 30-11 on Oct. 2, 2-1 (NA) over Safford and 2-0 (21-19, 21-20) over Safford on Oct. 3. The losses were to Phoenix Desert Vista 0-2 (17-25, 9-25) and Peoria Liberty 0-2 (13-25, 11-25) on Sept. 11 along with Mesa Red Mountain 0-2 (19-25, 14-25), to Scottsdale Desert Mountain 0-2 (21-25, 13-25), and Chandler 0-2 (21-25, 21-25) on Sept. 12, 19-22 to Florence on Oct. 2, and 0-2 (19-21, NA-21) to Payson and 0-2 (17-21 twice) to Payson on Oct. 3.

Thatcher lists a 13-member roster of five seniors, five juniors, and three sophomores. The seniors are Tessa Bryce (1), Marlie Farris (7), Mattilynn Gallett (8), Taylor Henrie (9), and Lillie Welker (14); juniors Jordin Bedford (5), Alli Johnson (11), Jocelyn Lunt (12), Payten Lunt (3), and Brinlee Skousen (10); and sophomores Makayla Cash (15), Rylen Montoya (4), and Charlotte Tysoe (2).

The Eagles are competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Safford Bulldogs, and Tucson schools the Amphitheater Panthers, the Andrada Polytechnic Mustangs, the Empire Ravens, the Palo Verde Magnet Titans, the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, the Sabino Sabercats, and the Tanque Verde Hawks.

3A No. 36 Amphitheater Panthers (5-6 seeding, minus 6.7940 rating)

The Deanna Duarte-coached Amphitheater Panthers (9-17 overall, 7-2 seeding, 3-1 region) have seeding wins of 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-10) over Saint Augustine Catholic on Aug. 28, of 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-16) over Catalina on Sept. 2, of 3-1 (22-25, 29-27, 25-16, 25-9) over San Miguel Catholic on Sept. 14, of 3-2 (25-14, 20-25, 25-8, 18-25, 15-8) over Palo Verde Magnet on Sept. 29, and of 3-2 (25-11, 16-25, 25-21, 21-25, 16-14) over Sabino on Oct. 7 along with losses of 0-3 (13-25, 10-25, 19-25) to Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic on Sept. 1, of 0-3 (18-25, 12-25, 21-25) to Avondale Madison Highland Prep West on Sept. 3, of 0-3 (7-25, 6-25, 16-25) to Tanque Verde on Sept. 21, of 0-3 (15-25, 18-25, 22-25) to Desert Christian on Sept. 23, of 0-3 (5-25, 18-25, 8-25) to Empire on Oct. 1, and of 0-3 (11-25, 11-25, 7-25) to Thatcher on Oct. 5.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Safford junior Alicia Torres (6) did not expect Saint David freshman Briklyn Jacquez (15) to block her hit. The pairing was during the Safford tourney bracket play on Oct. 3.

In addition, Amphitheater went 2-3 during The Gregory School 2-day tourney on Sept. 18-19. The Panthersdefeated Saint Augustine Catholic 2-0 (NA) on Sept. 18 and Palo Verde Magnet 2-0 (NA) on Sept. 19. The loses were 0-2 (13-25, 19-25) to The Gregory School and 0-2 (16-25 twice) to Sierra Vista ALA on Sept. 18 and 0-2 (21-25, 20-25) to Andrada Polytechnic on Sept. 19.

Amphitheater lists an 11-member roster of two seniors, seven juniors, and two sophomores. The seniors are Erika Gaxiola and Cortewa Vigil; juniors Sarha Caiz, Makayla Codner, Mia Gradillas, Arianna Gutierrez, Ana Paola Hernandez, Aliciya Miller, and Brianna Vasquez; and sophomores Bernadette Pena-Redhorn and HazelPena-Redhorn.

The Panthers are competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Safford Bulldogs, the Thatcher Eagles, and Tucson schools the Andrada Polytechnic Mustangs, the Empire Ravens, the Palo Verde Magnet Titans, the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, the Sabino Sabercats, and the Tanque Verde Hawks.

3A No. 26 Safford Bulldogs (5-6 seeding, 1.8874 rating)

The Makenna Farr-coached Safford Bulldogs (9-10-2 overall, 5-6 seeding, 1-2 region) have seeding wins of 3-0 over Willcox on Aug. 31, of 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-13) over Pima on Sept. 1, of 3-0 (25-9, 25-11, 25-15)over Apache Junction on Sept. 10, of 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-9) over Sabino on Sept. 21, and of 3-0 over Palo Verde Magnet on Sept. 30 along with losses of 1-3 (25-22, 20-25, 18-25, 23-25) to Benson on Aug. 26, of 0-3 (23-25, 11-25, 12-25) to Gilbert Christian on Sept. 8, of 0-3 (22-25, 21-25, 11-25) to Thatcher on Sept. 15, of 1-3 (14-25, 25-19, 14-25, 13-25) to Pusch Ridge on Sept. 23, 0-3 (22-25, 23-25, 17-25) to Tanque Verde of on Sept. 24, and 1-3 (20-25, 24-26, 25-23, 18-25) to Thatcher on Sept. 29.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Brinlee Skousen (10) sidesteps the hands of Sierra Vista American Leadership seniors Victoria Ceron (2) and Charlotte Ebaugh (5). The Eagles were the first team the Guardians fell to during the double-elimination Safford tourney bracket play.

In addition, the Bulldogs went 4-4-2 during the 2-day Payson Invitational on Sept. 4-5 and 8-3 during their own 2-day tourney on Oct. 2-3. Safford had wins of 1-0 (25-20) over Fountain Hills, of 1-0 (30-10) over Flagstaff Northland Prep, of 1-0 (26-24) over Joseph City, and of 2-0 (21-5, 17-12) over Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin on Sept. 4, 26-24 over San Tan Valley Combs, 30-11 over Morenci, 30-21 over Phoenix Veritas Prep, and 30-16 over Globe on Oct. 2, and 2-0 (NA) over Florence, 2-0 (21-9, 21-17) over Sierra Vista American Leadership, and 2-0 (21-11, 21-19) over Saint David on Oct. 3 as well as losses of 0-1 (10-30) to Phoenix Northwest Christian and of 0-1 (11-30) to Payson on Sept. 4 and of 0-2 (5-21, 12-17) to Northwest Christian and of 0-1 (24-25) to Phoenix North Valley Christian on Sept. 5, 23-28 to Payson on Oct. 2, and 1-2 () to Thatcher, and 0-2 (19-21, 20-21) to Thatcher on Oct. 3. The Bulldogs tied 1-1 with Lakeside Blue Ridge (16-21, 10-8) on Sept. 4 and with Show Low (9-21, 16-12) on Sept. 5.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Jocelyn Lunt (12) sends the ball past the out-stretched hands of Sierra Vista ALA seniors Dixie Evens (8) and Estelle Murphy-Thorn (21). Thatcher handed the Guardians the first of two bracket play losses before falling twice to Payson for the Safford tourney title.

Safford lists a 13-member roster of five seniors, five juniors, and three sophomores. The seniors are Jaycee Gable (14), MacKenna Macario (7), Gabriella Moreno (11), Jazzlyn Mortensen (3), and Lanae Shurtz (8); juniors Kassity Anderson (5), Kailana Beck (2), Jaydyn Coy (1), Martina Reyes (4), and Alicia Torres (6); and sophomores Aubri Bonilla (12), Milee Carter (9), and Kalia Cordova (10).

The Bulldogs are competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Thatcher Eagles, and Tucson schools the Amphitheater Panthers, the Andrada Polytechnic Mustangs, the Empire Ravens, the Palo Verde Magnet Titans, the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, the Sabino Sabercats, and the Tanque Verde Hawks.

3A State Rankings

*Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Tessa Bryce (1) receives a serve during a Safford tourney bracket play match. The Thatcher senior is one of three liberoes listed on the 13-member roster.*

Statewide 3A rankings as on noon on Oct. 9 were Gilbert Christian (11-0, 31.4338) No. 1 of 47, Tuba City (12-0, 24.7577) No. 2, Payson (9-1, 23.7704) No. 3, Chandler Valley Christian (6-1, 22.8466) No. 4, Snowflake (10-2, 21.0774) No. 5, Kayenta Monument Valley (10-3, 17.4866) No. 6, Phoenix Northwest Christian (8-4, 16.0982) No. 7, and Lakeside Blue Ridge (7-3, 15.7167) No. 8,

Yuma Catholic (10-2, 14.2366) was No. 9, Buckeye Odyssey Institute (10-2, 13.2116) No. 10, Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (7-2, 12.1629) No. 11, Maricopa Heritage (8-1, 12.0010) No. 12, Tucson Tanque Verde (9-2, 11.9884) No. 13, Chandler Seton Catholic (8-5, 11.9082) No. 14, Thatcher (9-2, 11.7446) No. 15, and Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (6-4, 8.7357) No. 16.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: A Thatcher hit cleared front row Payson 5-6 senior defender Madison Plain (13) but was put in play by back row teammates. The Eagles fell twice to the Longhorns for the Safford tourney title.

Mesa Heritage Gateway (7-4, 8.6795) was No. 17, Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic (11-3, 8.1210) No. 18, Fort Defiance Window Rock (7-3, 5.7010) No. 19, Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (6-4, 5.6163) No. 20, Vail Empire (7-5, 3.6750) No. 21, Chino Valley (8-4, 3.636) No. 22, Ganado (6-6, 3.1667) No. 23, and Surprise Highland Prep (7-6, 1.4241) No. 24.

The top two region teams have an automatic berth. The Top 24 will be available for the 16-team bracket, after Nos. 9-16 compete against Nos. 17-24 during the Play-In Round on Nov. 3. The winners will meet the Top 8 in the 16-team state tourney bracket.

Rankings for 3A South Region members as of noon on Oct. 9 were Safford (5-6, 1.3021) No. 25, Tucson Amphitheater (5-6, minus 6.7940) No. 36, Tucson Andrada Polytechnic (3-5, minus 8.9395) No. 40, Tucson Sabino (1-11, minus 17.5285) No. 44, and Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (0-10, minus 24.2671) No. 46.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Thatcher junior Jordin Bedford (5) positions her hands in the right spot to block Saint David outside hitter Emma Hart (1) during first day pairings. The Saint David senior reached two milestones during the tourney, 1,000 digs and 2,000 assists before the fifth seed Tigers bowed out to Safford in the second day losers’ bracket.

3A South Region

The region standings as of Oct. 11 were Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (15-7-1 overall, 7-2 seeding, 3-0region), Tucson Tanque Verde (24-11, 9-2, 3-0), Thatcher (19-9, 9-2, 3-0), Vail Empire (11-21, 7-5, 2-1),Safford (9-10-2, 5-6, 1-2), Tucson Amphitheater (7-8, 5-6, 1-2), Tucson Andrada Polytechnic (6-12, 3-5, 1-2),Tucson Sabino (2-20, 1-11, 0-5), and Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (0-16, 0-10, 0-1).

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Thatcher sophomore Charlotte Tysoe (2) receives a serve and passes it to teammates during the Safford tourney championship match. The Eagles fell twice to Payson for the title.

Region pairings to date resulted in wins for Thatcher of 3-0 (25-12, 25-6, 25-13) over Sabino on Aug. 27, of 3-1 (25-20, 26-24, 23-25, 25-18) over Safford on Sept. 29, and of 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-7) over Amphitheater on Oct. 5; Andrada Polytechnic of 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-11) over Sabino on Sept. 10; Empire of 3-0 (27-25, 25-17, 25-17) over Sabino on Sept. 16 and of 3-0 (25-5, 25-18, 25-8) over Amphitheater on Oct. 1; Saffordof 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-9) over Sabino on Sept. 21; Pusch Ridge of 3-1 (25-14, 19-25, 25-14, 25-13) over Safford on Sept. 23, of 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-13) over Empire on Sept. 29, and of 3-1(23-25, 25-14, 25-11, 25-10) over Andrada Polytechnic on Oct. 1; Tanque Verde of 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-17) over Safford on Sept. 24,of 3-0 (25-6, 25-13, 25-14) over Andrada Polytechnic on Sept. 28, of 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-8) over Sabino on Sept. 30; and Amphitheater of 3-2 (25-14, 20-25, 25-8, 18-25, 15-8) over Palo Verde Magnet on Sept. 29.

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