Alexis Cortez is a student journalist at the Walter Cronkite School at Arizona State University assigned to cover the Perry volleyball team.

Last year, the Perry girls volleyball team had a phenomenal season, going 32-4-1 and undefeated at home, 10-0. The team was also ranked as high as second in the state of Arizona. However, the team's playoff run ended in the semifinals, losing to Corona del Sol, 3-2. Bouncing back from the tough playoff loss, the team is looking forward to its upcoming 2019 season.

Assistant coach Brian Wagner admits it was a tough loss. “Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way," he said. "We had a tough match, and I think you just have to be ready for anything. I think we’re going to try to be more prepared this year to be a little more diverse and be able to mix things up."

After graduating ten seniors last year, there are six returning girls this season. Still, coach Fred Mann believes experience from those six is on their side. “We’ve got some experienced players. We’ve got some girls out here a couple years already and I think our asset is experience," he said.  

Wagner seconded this feeling, while noting the influx of new players on the team. “We were senior-laden, so it is a bunch of new kids out here this year. I think we’re going to be better in a lot of facets, but it’s going to take time and we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

One of the returning players is Tatum Stall, who led the team in kills. Last year, Stall had 278 kills and 2.7 kills per set. Another returning player is Sian Richardson, who was right behind Stall with 264 kills and 2.8 kills per set. The other returning players are Ella Rud, Alyssa Montoya, Jenna Heller and Jillian Hatch.

However, Mann believes the team is improving, and there are still things that the team must work on for the upcoming season. “I hope we serve (and) receive a little better, so we can run our offense. I think in time we’ll be a good offensive team, so if we can serve-receive well, get the ball to the setter and if the setter is in a good spot to deliver the ball, we’ll be in good shape.”

Freshman Avery Burks is excited for the season and feels the team is coming together nicely. “We’re all clicking really well, and we are all supportive of each other," she said. "Even on the sidelines, we are always cheering each other on and hyping each other up.”

Perry has its first homestand Sept. 12 at 6:00 p.m. against Desert Vista.