The chants rained down after Centennial won a marathon game to win the 5A Conference volleyball championship.

“Bauer!” “Bauer!” “Bauer!”

What a first season Cari Bauer experienced as Centennial’s head coach. The emotional roller coaster ended for her way better than it started.

Bauer dedicated 20 years to Centennial as its junior varsity coach and varsity assistant but another coach was selected to run the program. Centennial’s volleyball program protested and their voices were heard — loudly, just like Wednesday’s chants from its fans.

Centennial’s petitions led to Bauer's hiring and her first state championship in her first season as Centennial’s head coach. But Bauer balked on becoming part of the story after her girls beat Sunnyslope 25-22, 15-25, 25-23, 32-30 Wednesday at Gilbert Mesquite High.  

“It’s very emotional, but this is about the kids,” Bauer said.

Bauer won’t say it, but this was also about her.

“This is so special for us and for her (Bauer),” said one of Centennial’s four senior captains, libero Reagan Leonard.

Sunnyslope knows that special championship feeling all too well under its veteran coach, Amber LeTarte, who was 7-0 in title matches.

But Sunnyslope matched wits with an opponent with a will just as strong as Sunnyslope’s. Their determination was on full display during Game 4, a memorable game that actually had 10 game points.

Sunnyslope and Centennial traded sideouts and executed during the final points of the game. Centennial never held a two-point cushion in Game 4 until it scored its final point with a block by middle blocker Kara Spicer.

Sunnyslope had eight game points in the fourth game but couldn’t close the deal.

“Just two gritty teams,” said Bauer about Game 4. “They are so well coached. I told the girls, ‘Make (Sunnyslope) stop Kara.”

Centennial (28-9), on the other hand, had trouble stopping outside hitter Kayla Matthews, whose 26 kills came from all over the floor.

Six of those kills came in the second set, when Centennial’s passing broke down. Sunnyslope (29-14) may have reached another final Wednesday, but this year’s team struggled at times with 12 new faces.  

“It was a different season for us, but it was super rewarding,” LeTarte said.  "The girls improved. They exceeded expectations from beginning to end.”