With temperatures starting to change it is an indication of the fall sports coming to an end, setting the playoffs on the horizon. Centennial High School’s girls volleyball team has being putting a lot of time and effort in their practices. It has been paying off for them since they recently won their seventh district championship.

The Coyotes recently competed in the PUSD volleyball tournament battling against the Cactus Cobras (7-9) and Sunrise Mountain Mustangs (12-4) in the championship.

 “They were changing their lineups a little bit so we were trying to match up with some things,” said Centennial coach Cari Bauer. “Both teams played really good defense, so it was a matter of winning the long rallies. I felt like our girls started playing for each other and showing a lot of team unity towards the end.”  

Centennial is hoping to get their last regular season win against the Apollo Hawks (2-25) at home today.

 “We are going to try to keep the energy up, making sure we are always hyped, always loud for each other, just cheering,” Cooper said. “Focusing on technique, making sure we are working on the things we need to work on. That way we come out of practice the way we need to play.”

The game against Apollo will be an emotional night since it will be the eight seniors’ last regular home game. Cooper is the only player, so far, who has committed to a college. She will be attending the Air Force Academy.   

 “I am really excited,” Cooper said. “I am kind of sad because this has been my gym for four years. This has been my holy grail where I can relieve stress after school. It’s a little heart-breaking but at the same time it’s exciting because I am moving on and I get to start something new and step into a new gym.”

As the playoffs get closer, Bauer has seen a different team play out on the court than when they had their first game. They had a few injuries during the season but look to be at 100 percent for the state tournament, which starts Nov.2.

“There was a part where we went up and down a little bit and we kind of figured it out,” Bauer said. “You want to be playing your best and being your best team unit at the end and that’s hopefully where we are.”

The Coyotes have been winning the important games that are crucial to their playoff seeding. Although the playoffs are coming up, the Coyotes' junior setter, Kacey Stewart, feels comfortable where they are there but said they can always improve.

Bauer has her agenda set in order for her team to compete healthy and ready for the tournaments.

“At this point in the season, I get a little conservative. I don’t like a lot of jumping around,” Bauer said. “There is no time to recover from an injury. It is about gassing their legs a little bit, but yet making sure we are working on the fundamentals.”