Julian Rosa is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Basha High School for AZPreps365.com. 

In their opening game of the state playoffs, the Basha Bears girls volleyball team started off right where they finished the season, defeating the Mountain Pointe Pride in straight sets, 25-15, 25-19, 25-22.

The match opened with the dominance of Basha star Jaelyn Hodge,  who had five kills in the first set. Hodge is averaging 6.3 kills per set and 48% kill conversion, both team highs.

“Jaelyn is such a key for our team," Basha coach Terri Spann said. "She can take it to another level whenever she wants to. She is an integral part to the core of our team.”

Another key contributor in not only the first set, but the ones to follow, was Bears captain Samantha Drewry, who had a few kills in the first set. Drewry has been the staple of this Bears team since the start of the season, with 497 kills of a possible 1,254 and an average of 4.4 a set.

“The first set was a good way to get on the right foot as a team and especially in a playoff game," Drewry said. "It set us on the right path for the rest of the game.” 

The second set much like the first, with Hodge and Drewry leading the way, causing Mountain Pointe’s frontline problems.

“They were both active the whole game and they were definitely a main reason why we were able to jump on them in the first two sets," Spann said. "Sam’s leadership the entire year has been crucial, and Jaelyn is a fantastic volleyball player and one of the best in the state."

Since Hodge's return to the team after being ineligible for the first half of the season due to Arizona's transfer rules, her presence on the team has shown to not only be good for the overall talent of the team, but the chemistry she has built with teammates like Drewry. Hodge is committed to play volleyball at the University of Arizona next fall.

As Basha took a commanding 2-0 lead in the match, Mountain Pride staged a comeback in the third set, taking an 11-6 lead and forcing the Bears to take a timeout. That pause helped the Bears  slowly chip into that and they eventually took the lead back at 15-14.

“The timeout definitely helped me talk to my girls about what their ‘why’ is. Why are they playing this game and what is pushing them," Spann said. "As their coach I want to remind them of how hard we work in practice and the team’s potential."

“Coach was really encouraging us to push forward after the first blip in the third set," Hodge said. "We all knew that we could play better, and it showed in the rest of the set."

The Bears finished the set with a 10-8 run.

Basha (22-16) will play next on Thursday when the Bears host Hamilton.