Coach Kat Glaeseman received a text message from her captain the day their team lost the 2023 2A championship match.

“The revenge tour starts today,” a disappointed Quincy Rodin messaged Glaeseman.

That tour ended Saturday at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Expect a lot of smiley face emojis this time from Phoenix Country Day School’s captain. That’s because Rodin and her teammates swept the young and talented Scottsdale Christian Eagles, 25-18, 25-19, 25-23, in this year’s 2A final.

Last year, PCDS had every right to be upset when it lost the title in three, including a drama-filled second set in which they led comfortably but eventually lost 32-30. That defeat against defending champ Trivium Prep also snapped a two-year title run.

Trivium Prep defeated PCDS during this regular season as well, but that was the turning point.

“It was never a skill issue,” PCDS’s Mia Warner said. “We sat down and talked to one another, and we all had the same goal. So to sit down and drill things in our heads put things in perspective. It was smooth sailing after that (Trivium Prep) loss.”

No. 1 seed PCDS (21-4) went on to win its remaining 10 matches.

PCDS’s array of attacks were just too much for a team that didn’t start a senior in this year’s 2A championship. Warner’s strong start (2 blocks, 2 kills) and Rodin’s three kills set the tone.

The seniors, Warner (14 kills in 24 attempts) and Rodin (15 kills), also led the way offensively. Warner did a great job of mixing up her swing attempts.

She closed the match from the middle after a perfect pass from Asia Harper (match-high 14 digs) and set from Josie Robinson (36 assists).

Once the nerves settled, Scottsdale Christian’s young team used its outsides to get back in Game 1 after trailing 11-3. Sophomore Kaya Olafson was a force, collecting 20 kills, mostly from the left pin.

Selah Wadsworth (12 kills) also contributed from the outside in Scottsdale Christian’s (28-9) first state title appearance since 2020. The Eagles led 8-3 in the second set, but Warner’s work at the net allowed her team to climb back.

With the second game tied 19-19, PCDS went on to take control down the stretch. PCDS led 8-1 and 14-6 in the final set when Scottsdale Christian’s offense began to convert.

Trailing 20-14, the runner-up made a final push behind Olafson, Wadsworth and Megan Davidson (33 assists). Their team was down 23-21 after a mini 5-1 run, but a couple of Scottsdale Christian errors then ended the match.

“We clearly have some talent,” said Scottsdale Christian assistant David Dickerson, whose wife, Julie (head coach), was battling a cold. “What we’ve been working on all season is staying connected and finding a rhythm that leverages out our talent.

“So that’s what I’m excited about for next season. Just with some experience, knowledge and a little more court awareness, and knowing that we don’t have to get the amazing swing, we can stay in a rally and win it later. I feel that’s what PCDS did much better than us today.”

Expect Scottsdale Christian to be back in the title hunt again next season. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365)

PCDS will graduate six seniors who helped their program reach the big game a school record four straight times.

Glaeseman also has been on the bench during those four title match rides.

“We had a really special group of seniors that have been in the finals the whole time,” Glaeseman said. “The whole level of our program has increased every year since they’ve been here. When you have great players, they make everybody else a great player. It’s really cool to see.”