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

GLENDALE-- Late on Friday evening, the Eagles took on the Eagles for the third time this season, including tournaments. This season's installment of the rivalry between Phoenix Country Day School (PCDS) and Scottsdale Christian Academy (SCA) came down to a third match between the two private schools in neutral territory. With the stakes at an all-time high.

In the end the PCDS Eagles soared to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory: 16-25, 18-25, 25-19, 25-23, and 16-14. With the win PCDS punched its ticket to the 2A state championship game. 

PCDS entered this matchup 2-0 against SCA this season. One of the wins came in the PCDS Desert Classic Championship, an annual tournament hosted by PCDS. Also, PCDS had won every set in these two matchups. Despite PCDS' seeming advantage, SCA entered Friday's round-three match with far more playoff experience. The SCA Eagles are four-time defending state champions, having lost only one postseason set in the past four years 

In Friday's opening set, SCA showed its playoff prowess, quickly taking an 8-1 lead. Their aggressive attack overwhelmed PCDS early on. Robust kills rained down after strong sets by SCA senior Lexi Lambert to sophomore Reece Gibson, junior Bella Anderson, and freshman Ava Lambert.

PCDS was able to claw back and reduce the gap, but another run put SCA ahead 17-11. The rowdy mob of SCA fans were dressed in camouflage, some even opting to wear full military-style ghillie suits. These fans chanted “We can't hear you” in the direction of the silenced PCDS fans. The consistent offense of SCA allowed them to take set one, 25-16.

PCDS senior captain Lilly Robinson knew coming into this matchup that she would see a more focused SCA team then in their first meetings. “This SCA team, the seniors especially, have been past the first two rounds the past four years,” said Robinson. “They are used to this anxiety and stress and we have never been here so it was really stressful and we were very nervous.”

In set two, the SCA offense continued its dominance. The PCDS side of the gymnasium was silent as SCA took a 9-3 lead. PCDS freshman Teraya Sigler, who had been frustrated to this point due to solid blocking from SCA accompanied by unforced errors, began to connect with Robinson.

Sigler scored a handful of kills and put much-needed points on the board for PCDS. This revitalized the PCDS fans as they sensed a second wind in their team. PCDS kept the score close but still trailed by two points, 19-17. Despite the offensive boost, SCA extended its lead and forced a PCDS timeout. A double hit was called on Robinson to decide set two, 25-18, in favor of SCA.

Freshman outside hitter Quincy Rodin was confident in her team and kept a positive mentality, even after dropping the first two sets. ”In states it's so hard to win, everything's different, there's so much more on the line,” said Rodin. “At the end of the day this is just another game, they’re a great team and we’re a great team. It was all about mentality in this game. We knew we wanted this so bad and we were still in a position to do it, so we did.”PCDS fans celebrate their victory (Andrew Martinez/AZPreps365)

In the third set, PCDS came out looking like a new team. The Eagles surged ahead, 9-2. Robinson began to connect with her outside hitters and the PCDS offense finally began to thrive. The team had a new sense of hope, but towards the end of the set SCA began to tip the ball at the net instead of going for powerful kills. This gave PCDS some issues and allowed SCA to close within five points, but PCDS was still able to finish off set three, 25-19. 

“We've been trying as hard as we can to replicate what we're gonna see in the game,” said coach Kat Glaeseman.” I think it's been tough for us mindset-wise. We didn't have a lot of good matches at the end of the year. We feel like it's been a month since we played a really tough match so it's hard to keep that intensity at practice.”

In set four, PCDS took an early advantage, but each squad battled and traded points. Sigler and Robinson were leaving everything on the court, leading PCDS to take a 20-14 lead with graceful sets and vicious kills. SCA made a run of its own after this, scoring five straight points and putting the pressure on PCDS with its backs already against the wall. After a wild point for PCDS where the ball bounced off the air vent on the roof, giving Sigler just enough time to save the ball, PCDS held on to win the fourth set, 25-23.

“We played a little bit uncomfortable but we were also too comfortable," said Rodin. "We just needed to relax. We had each other's backs, we are family. And when we trust in that we will be great.”

In the decisive fifth set, both teams traded scores, neither allowing the other to pull ahead. After a crucial solo block at the net by SCA senior Ella Wilmink, the defending state champs scored three straight to surge ahead, 11-10. After more back-and-forth scoring, PCDS led 14-13. But SCA was able to score once more to tie the final set at 14-14.

The first squad to score to take a two-point lead would advance to the state championship match. Everyone was on their feet in the stands as PCDS took the final two points and won the final set ,16-14. Their side of the gym erupted in excited chaos.

Robinson was overjoyed to be able to finally compete for a state championship after years of hard work and dedication. "It is unbelievable," the 5'5" senior libero said. "I have no words, I have been working for this for four years."

"I was really scared it was gonna be over today, but I really trust my team and that's so special," Robinson said. "I knew they wanted this as much as I did and they wanted to do this for us seniors and us as a team.”

Phoenix Country Day (28-2) will take on number one-ranked Chandler Prep for the 2A State Championship on Saturday at Glendale Mountain Ridge High School. PCDS is looking to win its first 2A State Championship.