Salpointe Catholic High School is off to another torrid start in girls volleyball.
Last Wednesday, the Lancers beat Marana for their fourth-straight win to open the season — all by sweeping in straight sets. Salpointe then won five of seven matches at the House of Payne Tournament in Chandler over the weekend.
The two-time defending state champion Lancers continue their regular season Tuesday at Gilbert Mesquite.
But don’t let the winning record fool you. The Lancers are going through some rebuilding after losing some key players from last year’s title team.
“It’s hard right now because there’s a bunch of new girls and we’re getting to know each other, and we just have to remember that state isn’t guaranteed,” four-year varsity player Madison Sundholm said.
“We’ve been blessed to have won back-to-back, so we just have to keep fighting and work really hard. You never stop working.”
Coach Heather Moore said the team is still trying to find its identity and replace the leadership after having lost six seniors, which included key players Peyton Lewis and Alanna Duarte — both four-year starters. Lewis served as the team’s setter and Duarte was an outside hitter.
“Replacing them is difficult and we’re still searching for those replacements,” Moore said. “It’s mainly leadership and accountability, and voice on the court.”
Outside hitter and middle blocker Alex Parkhurst said there has been pressure to find a setter to fill in Lewis’ shoes, but they’re slowly figuring it out.
Instead of having one player fill in Lewis’ role, Moore has turned to both sophomore Brandy Kishbaugh and junior Katherine Schepelmann. They have taking turns to run a modified 5-1 offensive system.
And it’s not all new. Moore has had plenty of athletes that started on varsity early in their high school career. Of her current starters, four played a big role over the last couple of seasons.
“It’s good that they were on the team before and they learned from other leaders, but they are still trying to figure out how to best lead,” Moore said.
Moore said she’s not putting any expectations on her team in regards to a third straight state title. She just wants to take it one match at a time.
“If we continue to grow and build on every opportunity we have, I’m happy with that,” Moore said.
Against Marana, the Tigers got the upper hand in the third set and led the Lancers 10-4 at one point. But shortly after, Salpointe found its groove again and went on a 11-point run to regain the lead.
“We’re really trying to remain focused and do our job and I think we did a pretty good job of getting our act back together in the third set, and Madison Sundholm went back there and served a lot of tough balls,” Moore said.
Parkhurst and Sundholm have gotten used to making the playoffs and winning state, so they’d like to add another title before leaving Salpointe.
As long as the team focuses on the little things, Parkhurst believes the team will be able to play the long game.
“Our ultimate goal is state, so that’s kind of what we expect,” Parkhurst said. “But I know that, with a totally new team, that we have to get together like we have and find a way to dominate.”
