Page 89 - 2020 AIA Volleyball Championship Program

“Even though this has been a very unexpected season, it has been so rewarding to be able to step foot on the court every day knowing something amazing was going to happen,” Holt said. “I am so grateful for my amazing team- mates and the chemistry we have on and off the court. This season sure is one for the record books.”
As for Guerrero, she never plays scared, her coach said. In the Scottsdale Christian match she had the gumption, in the fifth game mind you, to execute a jump back set over the net to an open spot for a point.
Because of injuries, Guerrero has mostly handled the setting duties throughout the season. When Holt is in the back row, another freshman, Ava Norris, the team’s second leading kill leader, has become a primary point collecting option and puts up a big block.
One of the injured setters, Morgan Prather, is a captain but is still providing vocal leadership, Wilson said. Senior Annika Capulla and junior opposite Kaili Maurice are the other two key returning varsity players.
This is the most injuries Trivium Prep’s suffered in a season during Wilson’s seven-year tenure. This is also the first time she called up a junior varsity player during the season, but the newcomer, sophomore Hailey Te, respond- ed with quality minutes as a setter.
A team effort is what Trivium Prep will need to win its first volleyball trophy. Scottsdale Christian looks beatable, but the only games it dropped in 2A were to Trivium Prep and Rancho Solano Prep.
Rancho Solano Prep, however, won’t participate in the 2A tourney due to COVID-19. Rancho Solano Prep was starting two of the state’s leaders in hitting percentage, seniors Amanda Koath and Mehek Sumar.
Scottsdale Christian, despite its first 2A loss in a long time, is still a state favorite behind outside hitter Mackensi Meluskey and the Wadsworth sisters, Sophia and Sarah.
Another top-8 team, Chandler Prep, is led by the state’s hitting percentage leader, senior Evi Yates, the only player in the state currently hitting above .500. So all hands will need to be on deck for Trivium Prep if it wants to win the program’s first volleyball championship.
One person who’s been there from the start and the team can rely on is assistant coach Steve Balsley, a vol- unteer who’s done a lot for the program, Wilson said. Another leader Trivium Prep can depend on is Wilson. The head coach, when she’s not on the court, is an off campus violin teacher. So far, Balsley, Trivium Prep and Wilson have struck the right chords during this unanticipated yet successful season.
The 2A title still goes through Scottsdale Christian. Coach Kim Ohlinger has won three straight state championships and the Eagles swept the match each time. (Mark Jones photo/MaxPreps)