After a triumphant 3-0 victory in a play-in game against Crismon High School, Scottsdale Christian Academy Eagles will look to continue their postseason voyage in the first round of 3A State Championships at 11 a.m. on Friday at Mesa High School.

The Eagles, however, will have to fight past a 16-1 Odyssey Institute team that is ranked No. 1 in the 3A West Region and No. 7 in the entire 3A Conference.

Though the Eagles are ranked No. 12 in the 3A Conference, there is still some optimism in the air for head coach Julie Dickerson and her team. But in order to stay optimistic, they will have to refine the details in preparation for the Minotaurs.

“We are going to work on staying disciplined and we tell our girls to work on the small things,” Dickerson said. “It’s fun to get the big kills and do all that, but without a great pass, you never get to the big kill. So just focus on our services and stay disciplined. And as you get into the playoffs, honestly, it's going to be a team that passes well and serves well.”

For senior captain middle hitter Reece Gibson, entering this playoff game has become emotional with the possibility of it being her last high school career volleyball game.

“It really hasn’t hit me yet that this could be my last game and that this is my last high school season ever,” Gibson said.

Despite being the underdogs going into this game, the Eagles have momentum after defeating their last three opponents in a 3-0 sweep fashion.

After their last match against Chino Valley, Dickerson said that this game not only helped continue their momentum but also was a great way to end the season on senior night and give the team confidence moving forward.

Odyssey Institute has only lost six sets in its entire season, with one loss to the No. 1 team in the 3A North Central Region, Northwest Christian High School.

Led by head coach Lance Adams, the Minotaurs have shown dominance throughout the season and are on a 10-game winning streak.

Gibson, who is No. 17 in Arizona for 369 kills, and Scottsdale Christian will be tested offensively against a Minotaur defense led by senior middle hitter Lily Gordon, who has tallied 22 blocks.

If the Eagles want to keep their playoff dreams alive, they will have to play the small-ball game and overcome the Minotaurs' dominant defense. No matter the outcome, however, this Scottsdale Christian team has high hopes heading into this match.

“It is a unique kind of group of really young talented girls of freshmen and sophomores,” athletic director Eric Dall said. “And then we have a couple of really fantastic senior leaders. So it is making for a really fun and talented group that has really been in every game they have lost. They have lost a couple, but they are right there in every competition.”