The Sedona Red Rock High School volleyball team qualified for its 14th straight postseason appearance this season, opening with No. 12 Miami High School on Thursday, Nov. 3.

Sedona wrapped up the 2011 regular season Oct. 27 with a much-needed 3-1 win over rival Mingus Union High School.

The No. 5 seeded Scorpions didn’t need to beat rival Mingus to earn a spot in the Division IV state tournament this week, but it was more of a confidence boost, according to Head Coach John Parks.

“Mingus is a good team. They have a whole lot of class, the entire group. They played a good game, and it’s a nice win for us,” Parks said. “The girls needed to know they could beat Mingus, a team that beat us earlier in the season.”

Sedona lost to Mingus in Cottonwood on Sept. 13, 3-1, but the Scorpions returned the favor last Thursday, celebrating their seniors with a 3-1 win.

Parks went on to say having an opponent challenging them like Mingus did toward the end of the season is always good for Sedona heading in to the playoffs.

In the past, Sedona used to run through the 3A West region schedule, by far one of the weakest regions in state, with no problems.

With the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s new alignment play, the Division IV setting isn’t as easy.

With the victory over Mingus, the Scorpions improved to 14-3 [18-4-1] overall this season and will be looking to make a run in the Division IV state playoffs.

Sedona began its journey with a 5 p.m. match against Miami on Thursday at the Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. Results were unavailable at press time.

If Sedona beat Miami on Thursday, the Scorpions will play the winner of No. 4 Horizon Honors and No. 13 Red Mesa high schools Friday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m.

The Scorpions had the No. 5 seed in last year’s state tournament as well, but they were upset by No. 12-seeded Snowflake High School, 3-2.

In 2009, Sedona made it to the 3A conference state final four only to lose to Monument Valley High School, the eventual state champion that year. Monument Valley won its third straight title in 2010.