Keith Dottley is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Coronado High School for AZPreps365.com

SCOTTSDALE—While Coronado volleyball couldn’t sustain its early momentum in Tuesday night’s four-set defeat to Vista Grande, the stable off-court consistency of its senior captains has rerouted the direction of the program for the better.

Reinvigorated after a tranquil fall break, the Dons looked like a new team in the opening set against the Vista Grande Spartans. Middle blocker Gabby Williams’ leviathan-like performance led the way with four kills, two blocks and two aces.

“With the week we had off for break," Williams said, "I think it got us all excited to come back and play as hard as we can."Gabby Williams puts away one of her 4 first set kills. (Keith Dottley/AZPreps365)

Stalemated with the Spartans 3-3 in the first set, Don senior captain Kiara Bonner embarked on a streak of six unanswered points as the server. Williams supported her fellow captain with a brutish put-away block at the center of the net, then one-upped the previous highlight with a no-look, over-the-shoulder hit on the next play for a kill.

Williams proceeded to deliver an ace to close out her magnificent first set, claiming it for Coronado by a 25-18 margin.

“I think they strive to be the leaders they wish they had all along playing volleyball,” said coach Shannan McClure of the two captains. “They treat others with respect, and they encourage their teammates.”

McClure explained that the culture the program’s past leaders created was one of  hostility and bossiness. She credited Williams and Bonner for learning from the misdeeds of their predecessors and creating a supportive environment. During McClure's tenure, academic ineligibility is currently at an all-time low.

Following the unforeseen first set success, the lineup Coronado fielded for the second set looked identical to the one from its September 23rd defeat in three sets to the Spartans. Gabby Williams moved to the setter position while junior Daisy Martinez slid into the middle blocker role seamlessly.

The set began with a seesaw-like scoring pattern, as Bonner narrowed the early Vista Grande lead to one with no-look passes to keep the ball alive on back-to-back plays. When asked if this standout skill was learned in practice or is just innate, the cool-demeanered Bonner nonchalantly replied, Both.”Senior captain Kiara Bonner lines up a serve. (Keith Dottley/AZPreps365)

Martinez, now at middle blocker, stepped up with three kills during a 4-0 Coronado run to trim the Spartan advantage to 19-18.

After a 4-2 Vista Grande run, with her team down by three, Bonner’s serve plunged into the net, allowing the visitors to take the second frame by a 25-21 score.

Heading into a pivotal third set, Spartan head coach Ateliano Tuiteleleapaga tweaked her team’s strategy. Instead of attempting to fire missiles through the wall of hands presented by Martinez and Williams, Vista Grande outside hitters Brooklyn Sodderling and Mya Tappia started tipping the ball over the outstretched arms of the Dons’ duo.

En route to a 14-7 lead, the Coronado back line’s defensive effort slowly waned, as balls continuously dropped just beyond the reach of the hardwood-bellied girls’ hands. While junior libero Jacky Giles attempted to bring Coronado back with her two digs, the Spartans eventually purloined the set 25-23 to take a 2-1 match lead.

Coach McClure attempted to breathe life into her squad heading into the fourth set, preaching, “We need some energy, a spark." Diminutive Jiselle Ramirez came off the bench for a pair of high, looping kills to stake the Dons to an early 9-2 advantage. 

However, Vista Grande fought back. Coronado’s passing and service ability devolved. The Spartns claimed a 25-15 fourth set victory, and the match in 3-1 fashion.Junior outside hitter Cyalista Cotton jumps up for a hit. (Keith Dottley/AZPreps365)

McClure was pleased with aspects of her team’s performance, namely their effort and execution during the first set. “We always work on our servicing and passing, and we got off to a good start with our passing and our defense,” said McClure. “We were able to put it all together. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to sustain that the entire match.”

While the match result was disheartening for the players, the captain duo of Williams and Bonner spent postgame reminiscing on their fondest volleyball memories with just one home match remaining in their high school careers.

“It’s meant a lot to me,” Gabby Williams admitted. “It’s what got me through all of my academics and everything.”

Kiara Bonner believes the rectangular-paneled sphere has brought her out of her shell since first picking it up in middle school.

“During junior high school, I was always a nervous, shy person,” Bonner said. “So, my mom was the one who pushed me to try out for volleyball. Once I tried out for seventh grade, I started to play, and I’ve played ever since.”

Coronado’s upcoming Wednesday evening matchup with Apache Junction kicks off a four-game road trip that will lead into the team’s senior night on Thursday, October 28th.

Coronado fell to 2-10 on the season while Vista Grande improved to 7-10. The Spartans will return home to face the Combs Coyotes on Thursday, October 21st.