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

Ella Rud and Jenna Heller, two juniors on the Perry High School girls’ volleyball team, dominated on the court this season. Rud and Heller are both forces to be reckoned with, and both girls have a competitive nature. Off the court, they maintain positive and charismatic personalities with anyone they meet.

The Pumas finished the regular season 34-4-1 and made a prominent playoff run. The Pumas were a No. 1 seed going into the playoffs and made it to the 6A State Championship game against the Basha Bears, finishing runner-up in the state. Rud and Heller contributed a great deal to the Pumas success this year, racking up fantastic statistics this entire season between the two.

At the beginning of playoffs, both girls were excited to give it their all for the final push of the season. “Keeping attitudes positive and giving effort in every aspect of the game will ensure success,” Rud said.

Heller echoed her fellow teammate and says that was the time where the Pumas need to focus more than ever, especially in playoffs. Rud said the final push of the season is the most exciting, but the Pumas also needed to stay composed despite high emotions. 

Heller recently set a new single season assist record for the Pumas, originally set by Katie Koski at 553 assists; Heller finished with 1,172 assists for her junior season. She also finished with 47 aces and 283 digs. Rud has racked up the second highest number of kills on the team, with 377 on the season. Rud also finished with 61 aces and 299 digs for her junior year.

Rud and Heller are both serious and competitive on the court, but off the court their funny and genuine personalities shine through. Tatum Stall, current captain and senior on the Pumas, thinks highly of her teammates and believes they will succeed in years to come. “They’re goofy and free spirited and love to win,” Stall said. “Next year they will have no problem leading the team and preparing for the college level.”

The girls have also been scouted at the collegiate level and have both committed to their respective universities, before their senior season has begun. Heller committed to University of the Pacific, and Rud to Fresno State University this past year. Heller and Rud both have experience on their side, with both girls playing high school and club volleyball for multiple years. Heller is a part of the Aspire volleyball club team, and Rud is a part of the East Valley Juniors volleyball club team as well.

The girls exhibit leadership qualities that help them on and off the court and contribute to their academic and athletic success as well. “I try to be a good student in the classroom and a person that my teammates and friends can come to when they have a problem,” Heller said.

The girls capped off a memorable 2019 season by pushing through playoffs, but also staying focused to reach their goals. The girls are no strangers to pressure and will continue to practice and be ready for whatever is thrown their way. With school volleyball over for now, the girls still have club volleyball and academics to focus on but will continue to prepare for their senior years. Rud and Heller both have bright futures ahead, both academically and athletically, and will continue their success in years to come, both on the high school level and collegiate level.

Both girls are expected to be leaders next season and will continue to push the team, but also stress family as a core culture of the team.

“I have a strong belief that if everyone plays for each other, then it makes the season more enjoyable and it creates better relationships, and overall a more successful season,” Rud said.