Tanner Tortorella is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Campo Verde High School for AZPreps365.com.

Campo Verde boasts some of Arizona's young athletic talent. That talent spreads throughout all of their sports programs. The most impressive bunch could go to a player from the varsity girl's volleyball team who has dominated her three years in the program, that being senior outside hitter Addison Haluska.

Since her sophomore year, Haluska has been a part of the program and has made her presence felt every year, improving statistically in every succeeding season. Her senior campaign was her magnum opus, as she collected 382 kills, 4.5 kills per set, with a 43.9% kill rate. 

She has led the program in kills every season on the roster and has done this with her crushing power to attack any opponent's retaliation. After a shortened 2020 COVID-season that caused a drop off of production, Haluska entered this year more motivated than ever.

"Having the motivation this year to just go into every practice working hard and knowing that if I give it my all, and do everything I can, then I will be successful," Haluska said. "My mindset has made me successful."

Haluska led the Coyotes to a 15-15 regular-season record, which looks much more impressive compared to their 1-7 start. Head coach Tayler Bader credits Haluska's play on the court but sees her value off it equally as significant.

"Great leadership, [Haluska] is super competitive," Bader said. "She just brings that factor of 'do your job' type of deal, but also [the team]'s hype man ... She is pretty much the whole package."

The two-time varsity captain is a floor raiser. She asks a lot because she expects her teammates to meet the volleyball program's distinguished model. This being Haluska's first full season as captain, it has come with the opportunity to set a precedent for the team.

"Getting everybody in the right mindset before games is a huge thing to do," Haluska said. "On and off the court, you have to be a leader — we're giving it all, showing up early to practice. Those little things make a big difference."

A captain is elected for more than just their on-court ability, but their off-court characteristics to garner respect from their teammates. To elevate the standards for years to come. Haluska emphasized keeping emotions in check within the team, not letting the momentum from the game sway the team's play.

"When push comes to shove, [Haluska] is always performing," Bader said. "She is also super supportive in the times where we're struggling a lot. Instead of showing that she's giving up, she's pushing even harder, so the girls are following her."

The determination and leadership led Haluska to commit in November 2020 to Fresno State. The Division I volleyball program will continue the development of the Coyotes senior who sees her spot on the Bulldog roster as a "great fit."

"Just having the offer was super exciting because it was everything I wanted," Haluska said. "I had a lot of different options, but [Fresno State] is everything I wanted. It captured everything that I was looking for."

Coach Bader shared her excitement for Haluska, stating that Fresno State will get a "great kid" before anything else. The fifth-year head coach highlighted that the university should prepare for a leader on and off the court.

However, before Haluska begins her collegiate career, she must first lead the Coyotes into the 5A state championship bracket that has them as the eighth seed facing off against ninth seed Catalina Foothills High School. Before Thursday's match, Bader preached to the team to match Haluska's mindset if they wanted a chance to move on to the quarterfinals.

"Make sure that they're not waiting for [Haluska] to do the job," Bader said. "We're always supporting everybody through every play, and I think a lot of girls are trying to get over that hump."

It looks like they were able to get over that hump as Campo Verde defeated Catalina Foothills 3-1 (28-26, 29-27, 22-25, 25-19). Led, of course, by Haluska, the Coyotes will, at the minimum, have one more match this year against the first seed Horizon this upcoming Tuesday with a chance at the semi-finals.

No matter the result, Haluska has proven with her on-court power and her leadership off of it that her playing career is far from over. The Fresno State commit has high aspirations for her future, and with her play thus far, it is not hard to see why.