Zane Cox is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Sunrise Mountain for AZPreps365.com

PEORIA, Ariz. — Head Sunrise Mountain coach Brandi Jans has brought a dominant program in the 5A Arizona high school volleyball conference to rise. 

The Mustangs have become a powerhouse, winning six straight Northwest Valley region championships. They are also back-to-back state runners-up, finishing last season with an impressive 35-4 record.

With all the credit that each individual receives, it can go unnoticed that ta coach is leading the way.

It's Jan's seventh season at the helm, where she has a record of 184-53. She has taken the Mustangs to the state tournament all seven seasons, including six Northwest Region championships. 

“We have just built an amazing culture here and for this team,” Jans said. “We stay consistent and do a lot of consistent things.”

That consistency is paying off for the Mustangs, who have a .776 win percentage during Jans tenure.

Jans and the Mustangs' consistency is also paying off for players getting to play college volleyball. Over a dozen players have gone on to play at the collegiate level under Jans. Some of those players include Lily Rolfes, who now plays at the University of Cincinnati, and Addison Wiemann, who is now at Rutgers University. 

Jans is not only a winner on the court but is also “very good at building a community,” senior libero Hailey Brueggeman said. 

“She’s a very calm and collected coach,” Brueggeman said. “She helps us on our good days, our bad days. She supports us no matter what.” 

She puts players in the position to “succeed,” according to senior outside hitter Alexandria Muller. 

“Miss Jans is very confident in us and believes in us,” Muller said. “I think being confident in your player like Miss Jans is key to the success we’ve had.” 

Success isn’t the only thing that Jans worries about. The Mustangs achieved a 3.55 team average GPA last season. The Mustangs have also qualified for the AIA Team Scholar Award and earned the AVCA Team Academic Award, both of which recognize high school teams that maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher.

“[Jans[ keeps us disciplined in school and makes good decisions,” Brueggeman said. “She cares about us.” 

The Mustangs near the end of the regular season, sitting in third place in the Northwest Valley Region behind Ironwood High School and Willow Canyon. Both teams will travel to Sunrise Mountain today with the region title on the line.