Horizon volleyball players and coaches celebrate their fourth consecutive 5A state championship victory last Saturday. (Photo by Ethan Desjardine/Cronkite News)
PHOENIX – When legendary coach Valorie McKenzie stepped down from Horizon’s volleyball program after her fifth championship win in 2022, some questioned whether her successor, McKenzie Skaggs, could continue Horizon’s dominance.
After winning the 5A state championship last year, Skaggs’ first season as Horizon’s coach, and defeating Sunrise Mountain Saturday to complete a four-peat, all those questions have been answered.
Horizon continues to add to its legacy as a powerhouse in Arizona high school volleyball.
Saturday’s victory was the Huskies’ seventh state championship since 2009, and this year’s win makes them just the second large high school (4A-6A) in Arizona to achieve a four-peat.
However, it was not all easy sledding for the Huskies over the weekend, as Sunrise Mountain won the first set, 25-15.
Skaggs recalled what she told her team in the huddle to help them regroup after a tough first set.
“We talked about how we’ve been here and that the pressure shouldn’t be on us,” Skaggs said. “We saw [Sunrise Mountain’s] huddle break apart, we saw them become individuals, and so we just really worked hard on staying together every single point.”
Horizon took the next three sets, 25-23, 25-23, 28-26.
The Huskies’ teamwork was on full display during the championship match, continuing the culture of excellence that has surrounded Horizon’s volleyball program for years.
With a roster full of experienced leaders like senior Teyara Siegler, combined with new talent, the team played as one unit until the very end.
“This whole year, they have been a team that really played with Teyara [Siegler], and I think they wanted it just as bad as she did,” Skaggs said. “I’m proud of their fight. They play with a ton of confidence, they didn’t give up, and they stick together.”
Siegler, ranked as the No.1 recruit in the Class of 2025 by PrepDig.com and committed to play Division 1 volleyball at the University of Nebraska next year, capped off her stellar season with 540 kills, the second most in the 5A conference, and a fourth championship ring.
“To win it one time is hard. To win it four times is even harder,” Siegler said. “I’m just grateful for these people and where I am.”
Reflecting on her high school career, Siegler expressed gratitude and pride in her team.
“Obviously, I have other things in the future, but this is my home,” Siegler said. “People have been so welcoming to me and uplifted me through my hardships. I’m grateful to be on this team, to be with these people, and to be where I’m at right now.”
Assistant coach Caitlin Lord emphasized Siegler’s importance to the team, both through her performances on the court, as well as her leadership beyond the game.
“Teyara is an exceptional leader both on and off the court, not just with stats but with her energy and how she uplifts the team,” Lord said.
While Horizon’s senior class will leave big shoes to fill, the coaching staff is optimistic about the program’s future.
“We have some young kids who are going to be taking over the legacy of what the program has been,” assistant coach Sarah Kerbaugh said. “Every single person brought something special to our team this year, and they really utilized it, coming together versus playing as individuals.”
The championship win not only underscores Horizon’s dominance but also highlights their unique bond as a team, a bond they’ll carry beyond the volleyball court for years to come.
“Yes, it’s high school, and yes, there’s obviously more outside of high school volleyball,” Siegler reflected. “But you are always going to remember your high school years, and I am always going to remember my coaches and what they’ve done for us.”