Justin Dunbar is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Verrado High School for AZPreps365.com

Verrado High School’s volleyball team has stood out this season for their on-court accomplishments, including finishing the regular season as the second-highest-ranked 5A team. However, it is the power of friendship off the court that has been the headline of their season. 

 Outside hitter Alyssa Ortiz, middle blocker Aniah Brown, and defensive specialist Elleana Bejarano are all seniors who have played together on the Vipers’ varsity team for 4 years. Together, they have created memories that they believe will last a lifetime.

“You find your people through sports,” Bejarano said. “And they will become your long-life best friends.”

The trio's first experience playing with each other was as freshmen during summer indoor volleyball practices. Ortiz and Bejerano, a four-year beach volleyball player under coach Mersadez Bowen, teamed up outdoors during their freshman year, while Brown played beach volleyball with Bejarano during their sophomore year. 

“I feel like they got put in my life at the perfect time,” Brown said.

The trio also played club volleyball together for the AZ Outlaws Club for three years and have bonded with each other off the court. 

“We stay with each other during lunch,” Bejarano said. “We’re always trying to make conversation outside of just volleyball and checking on each other.”

Those relationships have played a major role in their bond on the court, according to Bowen. Bejarano, for example, had her 1,000th serve receive pass in a Oct. 19 3-0 win at Westview, and credits her teammates significantly for that accomplishment.

“My team makes me feel so loved when I reach those accomplishments,” Bejarano said. “Volleyball isn’t a one-person sport and we need everyone.”

In that victory at Westview, Brown (11) and Ortiz (10) led their team in kills and have combined for 64% of the team’s kills this season. They credit Bejarano’s contributions as a defensive specialist and libero significantly.

"I just can’t do it without a talking libero,” Ortiz said. “With Ellie, it’s so much easier.”

“She is my eyes and ears in the back,” Brown said.

However, for as much as the trio’s abilities on the court have helped each other, they, along with Bowen, each emphasized the importance of their friendship as regular individuals.

“They’re my sisters at the end of the day,” Ortiz said. “We all didn’t come from the same parents, but at the end of the day, we’re all together every single day.”

Sometimes, it can be as minor a detail as math class. Ortiz and Brown sit with each other in class and rely on each other for support.

“I’m not very good at math, so I always go to Aniah if I ever need anything,” Ortiz said. “There’s volleyball, but we all have a life outside of volleyball too.”

“Being a student athlete is fun, but always there’s challenges,” Brown said. “Especially during school.”

One specific challenge that Brown faced when she first started as a freshman was feeling comfortable being her true authentic self. Bejarano and Ortiz acknowledged her quiet tendencies, but also described her as an extremely fiery competitor on the court. 

 “I feel like it’s good for me,” Brown said when discussing her developed personality. “Coming from being quiet my first two years of playing, it helps a lot with my confidence.”

Brown is specifically considered a leader of the team that the underclassmen look up to while Bejerano and Ortiz are captains. In Bowen’s first season as head indoor volleyball coach, she has been able to rely on their leadership skills.

“I was asking them for trust,” Bowen said. ”I was asking them for leadership. I was asked by them a lot, and they executed it beautifully.”

As leaders, the trio emphasized wanting to help maintain a culture that resonates with the younger players to keep the program succeeding once they graduate. Ortiz is committed to play college volleyball at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Brown is committed to play at California State East Bay. Bejarano, meanwhile, may continue to play volleyball but is planning to study criminal justice in college. 

However, as they go different ways following their graduation, they all are appreciative of the memories they’ve made and a bond deemed inseparable.

“Situations happen, but that doesn’t make our bond fade away,” Ortiz said. “Even if we’re not seeing each other every day like we are now.”

As proud as they are about their on-court accomplishments -- Verrado has not lost a set in conference play in over a month and is currently pursuing a state championship after finishing with a 16-0 rankings record -- it’s that bond that they expressed the most pride in.

“It’s more than just volleyball,” Ortiz said.

The Vipers defeated McClintock in their first postseason matchup on Thursday. They will host Sunrise Mountain for their next postseason matchup on Tuesday at 6 p.m.