Defending state champions get top seeds

Defending state champion Centennial on Sunday was awarded the No. 1 seed for the Class 6A state volleyball tournament.

The Hawks (21-1) will open with pool play at the Santa Ana Star Center on Thursday morning against No. 8 Rio Rancho and No. 12 Atrisco Heritage.

The field of 12 is divided into four pools of three. The pool play winners get a bye into the quarterfinals on Friday afternoon. The remaining eight have first-round matches late Thursday afternoon.

La Cueva, Sandia and Eldorado were seeded Nos. 2-4 behind Centennial. The Bears are pooled with No. 7 Cleveland and No. 11 Cibola. The Matadors are in with No. 6 Volcano Vista and No. 10 Piedra Vista. The Eagles are grouped with No. 5 Las Cruces and No. 9 Clovis.

Last year’s 5A state champion, St. Pius, has the No. 1 seed, followed by Artesia, Los Lunas and Farmington. Albuquerque Academy was seeded sixth.

Sandia Prep, the defending 4A state champ, has the No. 1 seed as the Sundevils set out to repeat.

Moriarty is seeded fifth, Hope Christian is seeded seventh and Bosque School is 10th.

Quarterfinal and semifinal rounds in all six classes are Friday. Classes 6A-2A are at the Star Center, 1A at Cleveland High. The six championship matches are Saturday, also at the Star Center.

The 6A final is the last match, scheduled at 7 p.m. Class 5A goes at 11 a.m., 4A at 3 p.m.

The other No. 1 seeds announced Sunday are Texico (3A), Logan (2A) and Elida (1A).