Aya Abdeen is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Ridge High School for AZPreps365.com

As the Jaguars took on the visiting Queen Creek Bulldogs in Mesa on Oct. 20, five Desert Ridge High School varsity volleyball team seniors had a special night. 

There were beautiful decorations in front of the gymnasium with flowers, photos of the seniors, and posters. Teammates and Desert Ridge fans in the stands cheered for the seniors as the announcer read their names. Karley Heslop, Raegan Hooper, Courtney Grant, Reese Grochowski, and Milana Schulte walked on the red carpet with their families, smiling.

Heslop said that the seniors have been connected since their middle school days. She also said that their team chemistry is easier because of their communication skills.

“We’ve all been playing together for so long, since junior high, that we all have really close relationships,” Heslop said. “So that makes it easier to play together.”

Hooper recalled the connection with her teammate, saying that their development has been vital.

“We got into the culture of varsity volleyball, knowing the fact that we’ve played together for six years so it’s just been fun to see us grow as a team,” Hooper said.

Grant said their long-lasting friendship is vital to their success and team work. 

“I just feel like we have a really good connection with each other because we’ve been playing with each other for so long since seventh grade,” Grant said. “We’re really interconnected and we get along with everybody on our team from freshman to sophomore. We’re all very interconnected and we all know each other really well.”

Grochowski said that the seniors can be defined by the phrase “good energy.” 

Teammates and coaches said they were grateful to learn from the senior class as their leadership defines who they are.

“The seniors set good examples to the rest of the team, and they were able to have good attitudes and fight to win,” said Jaguars assistant coach Heidi Hoopes.

It has been crucial to have good camaraderie during the Jaguars’ season, as they improved from a 7-win season in 2021 to a 10-win season in 2022.

Hoopes said that the class of 2023 will be remembered for their “strong attitudes and competitive spirits.”

Head coach Randi Eaton said he will remember the senior class for “their experience and their drive to always want to improve and play hard.”