Andrew Martinez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Phoenix Country Day School for AZPreps365.com.

 

PARADISE VALLEY-- St. John Paul II Catholic’s Lions had their hands full on Wednesday, taking on the dominant Phoenix Country Day School Eagles in hostile territory. Najafi Gymnasium was full of rowdy students dressed in pajamas throughout the Eagles 3-0 victory in straight sets of 25-16, 25-10, and 25-16.

 

The victory gave PCDS its 13th straight win, including tournaments. They have not lost a set during this streak and remained perfect tonight.

The Eagles took control over the game in a flash, going up 11-3 about five minutes into the first set.

The quick scoring was a result of the Eagles leaning heavily on their star outside duo of freshmen, Quincy Rodin and Teraya Sigler. Singler and Rodin are both over six feet tall and possess all the physical characteristics of today’s best professional volleyball players.

This powerhouse duo is no stranger to winning; in late June they took home the USAV 14 Open National Championship with their club team, the Arizona Storm Elite 14 Thunder team. Rodin and Singler have each tallied more than 100 kills and each has a kill percentage over 50% in their freshman seasons.

“I think it (winning the Open National Championship) was kind of humbling.” said Sigler. ”This is a clean slate, starting high school and the high school season. This is where we get better and yes we did win but now it's time to get better and achieve the same goal.”

“We're even close outside of school,” said Rodin. ”It's like she's my sister so I know when things are going on outside of school and we know each other's limits to help push each other.”

PCDS seniors have been organizing themes for all of their home games this season. Wednesday evening was pajama night. Students wore their comfiest onesies, hoping to put the Lions to bed early. Even head coach Kat Glaeseman wore a fluffy white bathrobe over her clothes.

“The seniors send the theme out via Instagram to all their fans and followers,” said Glaseman. “Just seems like everyone is excited about having a good team this year and the whole student body has gotten on board.”

PCDS students in pajamas holding up one finger to signal set point. (Andrew Martinez photo/AZPreps365)The Eagles kept their lead and scored kill after kill from Rodin and Sigler, whose power and accuracy got the audience on their feet every time they leapt for the kill. The Eagles finished the first set with 11 of their points coming off kills.

In the second set, senior captain Lilly Robinson, who was celebrating her 18th birthday, was all over the court. She is only 5’8’’ but uses her smaller build to fly around, chasing after digs and setting up the high powered offense repeatedly.

The Eagles' attack continued to roll, with Robinson being able to pick and choose whom she set up on every point. She controlled the game's flow and got the ball up high for her star outsiders to deal the damage. Robinson ended up with seven assisted kills in this set.

Robinson, along with the rest of the team, has built a strong bond with her freshman teammates. A hysterical laugh among the four girls burst out when asked about the impact the new freshmen have on the team. 

“It is a large impact.” said Robinson “And not just skill-wise; they help a lot but also bonding-wise. We have become really good friends with them really fast and they are such great people.”

“Definitely a positive and it helps with the motivation to keep going,” said senior Ella Wilmink. "There's not a time I can recount where everyone has been super down in a game because we all get along and have the same goals.”

The Lions showed their heart in set three, keeping the score within three points early on at 11-8. But they were unable to handle the vicious kills coming from Rodin and Sigler. The Eagles extended their lead and took the last set through precision kills coming off the hot hand of Teraya Sigler.

Robinson was able to assist on eight kills in this final set, bringing her assisted kills total to 18, on her 18th birthday. Rodin finished the night with six kills and six aces, and Teraya Sigler ended up with 16 kills, three blocks, and one ace. 

The Eagles' next matchup is September 30 at Veritas Prep (14-4) and they are looking to extend their winning streak to 14 games.