Northwest Christian volleyball puts exclamation point on dynasty

The third time was the charm for Northwest Christian volleyball, though so were the first and second.

The No. 1 Crusaders swept No. 3 Valley Christian 3-0 Saturday at Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe to finish their undefeated season with the 2020 AIA Girls’ Volleyball 3A State Championship - their third in as many years.

Northwest Christian is no stranger to this stage. Many of the main contributors have been in similar roles for the run of three titles. Along with the usual jubilation of victory, there was a sense of relief from the players and coaching staff.

Senior McKenzie Wise said the 2020 season was by far the most difficult and meaningful in her career. This year’s Valley Christian squad was the most talented 3A team the Crusaders had seen in the championship round, and after a delay to the fall season nobody was certain Arizona would get to this point.

“They’ve been the best team we’ve played in 3A, and with all the COVID stuff going on we didn’t even know if we’d have a last season for our seniors. So, it’s amazing to see how we fought, and I think this was our best game,” Wise said.

The match also served as one last memory – win or lose – for the class of 2021.

Many of the seniors been the catalyst for Northwest Christian since they were sophomores, surprising the state as a No. 3 seed in 2018. Their collective talent and chemistry were crucial in reaching this point.

“The seniors, the bond we have going from club together, to friendships over the past few years, has made us what we are. And then the underclassmen see that, and it makes it easier for them to get involved,” Wise said.

In those three years the Crusaders have one loss to a 3A opponent, Odyssey Institute to start 2019 - with Wise out due to injury.

“It’s pretty amazing because these seniors have fought hard every single year and for them to finish getting their third one in a row shows their hard work,” coach Jenna Hope added.

The bond between Hope and her players is particularly strong in the case of one future graduate, senior kills leader and daughter Reagan Hope.

Reagan said that until the championship round she had focused on finishing the season, rather than spending time recollecting on a youth and high school career with Jenna by her side.

There might be tears, she said, when that time comes, but Saturday served as one more celebration.

“Obviously, it’s great for me because our bond and relationship is so special. And it’s special for her because she’s put so much into all of us as players, and to get another win like this is a testament for her and a highlight to end what she’s done for all of us,” Reagan Hope said.

Northwest Christian senior middle blocker Reagan Hope holds up the 3A state volleyball trophy as teammates gather around Nov. 21 at Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe. It is the Crusaders' third straight state title. [Eric Newman/West Valley Preps]

The Crusaders did not begin celebrating until they won, but the result never appeared in question. Northwest Christian came in undefeated, having lost just one set in 20 matches to that point.

That one loss, though, came to this same Trojan team during the regular season. The Crusaders came out thinking they had to demoralize their opponents from believing they had a true opportunity at another set victory, much less stealing a title.

“Our main goal was to be the aggressors and showing them they didn’t have a chance to take it from us,” said senior setter Molly Kipp.

Northwest Christian rolled right away to a 14-5 lead. The Trojans fought back some, but the lead never dropped below three points, and a McKenzie Wise ace ended the set 25-17.

“We came into it with the mindset that it might go five, so I think we were ultra-aggressive right away and that’s why we started so fast. We had to fight that hard from the start,” Reagan Hope said.

The second set was more of the same. The Crusaders stormed to another lead, and a pair of consecutive kills by sophomore Kierstyn Barton grew the margin to 18-11. Northwest Christian never trailed, and another set-ending ace at 25-19 gave the Crusaders a 2-0 set lead.

The socially distanced spectators in the stands at Marcos de Niza looked ready to start celebrating.

However, the party looked like it might be delayed, as the Trojans took their first legitimate lead, up 7-2 in the third set.

Northwest Christian senior Jaedyn Shaw served for six points in a row to come back and take an 8-7 lead, but the Crusaders could not pull ahead. The teams traded points until the set was tied 16-16.

The Crusaders won two points and a timeout was called with Northwest Christian holding an 18-16 lead.

“Right there I told them that no matter what was happening on their side, just to play our game. Control the ball on our side. If we could pass, we could win,” Jenna Hope said.

Her advice worked, as the Crusaders played a clean end to the set and ran up the score. An errant spike flew long to complete the sweep with a 25-18 victory in the third, and the Crusaders bench players mobbed the starters to celebrate yet another title.

Hoisting the trophy, coach Hope was too busy smiling and congratulating her players and fellow coaches to consider next season too much. Next fall, Reagan Hope will be playing for Oregon, Kipp for Baylor and Wise for Grand Canyon.

Graduating an ultra-talented group of seniors will make a quest for four championships difficult in 2021. But the Crusaders boast several young players hungry for their own chance at more playing time, led by a sophomore class with future studs like Barton.

“They’re going to take it and keep the legacy going. It’s going to be harder work, but they’re going to do a great job,” Jenna Hope said.