Skylar Staples is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mesa High School for AZPreps365.com

The Mesa public school system has reformed many programs within its athletic department by hiring new coaches throughout each sport.

Mesa High School was no exception to the rule as Vee Hiapo was hired to be the coach of boys sand volleyball, boys indoor volleyball, girls sand golleyball and girls indoor volleyball. 

The Mesa public school system used to be a powerhouse within the 5A and 6A division prior to the 2000s. The schools within the system rarely make it through postseason play and have not seen a championship since 2002. 

Coach Hiapo has always been a well respected coach within the Arizona volleyball circuit with many years of coaching experience. She is attempting to rebuild the volleyball program at Mesa and looking forward to winning a state championship in the future. 

“I originally wasn’t going to come here but when talking to the principal, Mr. (Kirk) Thomas, he had asked, 'Can you teach them how to win a state championship?’" she said. "So basically building from ground level up, Mesa always had a great stucture of community and support. This program will win a state championship; it is just going to take some time to build. Once they get there it will be fine.”

The Jackrabbits (10-13) will take a two-match win streak into Tuesday's action at Westwood High.

Hiapo previously coached at Skyline High School. She has held many positions in the volleyball world which have led her to become a known figure. 

Hiapo revealed in an azcentral.com story that she has had over 30 years of experience within the game and owns a family-run volleyball club in Gilbert. She has led multiple teams to state titles and had several players win player of the year honors. 

“The transition (from Skyline) has been phenomenal," she said. "This is probably the closest I’ve gotten to a school since I left Hawaii. The family atmosphere and how they treat the kids- it’s just a wonderful place to be at."

Mesa is both honored and proud to have a distinguished coach leading its volleyball team. Mesa volleyball has been around since the 1970s and has noticed the coaching change. 

Returning players have commented on the leadership change and have been thrilled with the addition of the renowned coach. Mckay Johnson, the current assistant coach of the girls indoor volleyball team , played at Mesa during his high school years.

Hiapo's presence within the program excites him, as he used to play against teams she has coached. 

“Honestly, it's definitely a big blessing for this school. I played four years of volleyball here and I played a game against Vee Hiapo on the boys' side of it,” Johnson said. 

“Vee is definitely a talked about coach in a sense that she knows exactly what she is doing. She’s the best person that could have come in and taken over the program from a coach that had been here for so long.” 

Players are also happy with the transition as many seniors who played under the previous coach enjoy Hiapo's style. 

“She took over running the program. It’s really intense and we practice hard,” Mesa senior setter Ellie Postert said, “It hasn’t changed that much but her way of coaching is always pushing us to get better and challenges us to be our best at every practice.”

The Jackrabbits not only have a new coach, but the mentality to win and work hard. Hiapo is inspiring the girls to practice their strength and skills during play in order to get a chance at that state title.

“They are on task to grow for next year but they wanted to try and see what they could do for this year," Hiapo said. 

"They have been trying to pracitce extra.  These kids, I’m proud  of them, they come  in at 5:30 a.m  every morning. They practice again at 5:30-6 p.m at night. They are trying to get stronger and better. I have enjoyed coaching this group just because of that work ethic."