Dylan Dayton is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Phoenix Country Day School for AZPreps365.com.

PARADISE VALLEY— Phoenix Country Day School (PCDS) had no problems taking care of business on Tuesday, defeating Glendale Prep without even dropping a set. To make the win even sweeter, they did so on senior night in their own gym. The stands were full of supportive parents and students dressed all in white, the special theme of this week. Music blared over the Najafi Gymnasium sound system, setting the stage for the raucous match to come.

                                                        (Dylan Dayton/AZPreps365.com)

             Prior to the match the five Eagle seniors— Ella Cabbil, Alex Goldstein, Charli McCarter, Lilly Robinson and Ella Wilmink—strutted onto the floor after an outstanding light show from the technical staff at the school. The crowd cheered. It seemed both friends and foe had an unspoken agreement to create an exciting atmosphere for the seniors' last campaign.

As the first set began, it was  evident that the Eagles had full control of the floor on both offense and defense. Right side/ outside hitter Cabbil made multiple defensive plays in the first two sets and made her job look way too easy, ending her night with three blocks and a kill. These defensive possessions became offense, as the Eagles used many of these extra opportunities to create points. The Eagles went on an 11-3 run to start the first set and carried that momentum to a 25-8 victory.

As the second set began, the energy in the building began to liven up. The sideline crew, as they're called by the parents, tried to hype up the crowd with humorous celebrations. The boys would proceed to carry each other around like rag dolls, running around excitedly like school children on the playground during recess.

“We want to make it as fun as possible for everyone that comes," said McCarter. "We really wanted to have a student section this year, and so far, it’s been working out.”

The student section support, along with some great offensive play by both senior Lilly Robinson and freshman Teraya Sigler began to put the Eagles ahead in their second set. Robinson had eight assists and Sigler had six kills and an ace serve to push the squad to a 9-4 run over the Griffins.

The Griffins did make a push towards the end of the set, but great special awareness by the Eagles allowed them to get eight free points off of side-outs. These points may have not been crucial for the win but showed great team communication and chemistry. The second set ended with an Eagle victory, 25-10.

                                                         (Dylan Dayton/AZPreps365)

    During the match Robinson passed the 2,000-assist mark for her career. “She comes alive on the court," said her mother, Clarisse. "I am so proud of her, she’s a real leader on the floor.”

Robinson ended her senior night with a whopping 23 assists. She has been setting up her teammates since she was a freshman and even as a senior nothing has changed. Robinson was a gymnast before high school and it surprised both her parents when she eventually chose to pursue volleyball exclusively. 

“I thought she was going to choose gymnastics over volleyball," said her mother. "She started doing both when she was around 12.”

Robinson's overall commitment to the sport and her team is inspiring. Sometimes during dinner with the family she’ll be on her phone/ computer making highlight tapes for her senior friends so that they can pursue a collegiate career. She really cares, and that what makes her so good and what she does. The theme for this senior night was commitment. All of the seniors have displayed commitment to this school by playing volleyball for all four years. They love what they do, and it really shows in their play.

The third set felt like the conclusion to a major tournament. The crowd was ecstatic. The Eagles played each point with smiles on their faces. They wanted to be there, and all the saves and diving efforts proved that.

Robinson made diving save after diving save. Freshmen Quincy Rodin and Sigler were punishing the Griffin defense. With the game on the line 24-11, the crowd rose and held up their arms and index fingers, signifying match point. The Eagles did not hesitate to swoop in on their prey and finish things off.

With one more kill from the squad the match was over. Family rushed in and gave the girls their roses that they received before the match, a wonderful and emotional scene.

“It’s hard to say, because like every single moment is better than the next," Robinson said when asked to pick a top moment. "I would definitely say that this year is the best by far. All the simple, little things are the things that I am going to carry with me forever once I leave this team.”

This team is a family, one that supports one another through thick and thin. Senior night was made magical by all the fans and technical crew that came to support the girls. They proved to be a part of that family, even if they aren’t at every practice or game, they still show up when the girls need them.

The women’s volleyball team will play again Friday at 4 p.m. at their home gym against the Scottsdale Christian Eagles.