Tia Reid is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover North Canyon High School for AZPreps365.

Coming off a loss to South Mountain High School (7-4, 5-1) on Oct. 3, North Canyon High School volleyball (4-8, 3-4) will prepare to take on McClintock High School (10-2, 7-0) on the road on Monday. 

The matchup will be the second of the season between the Rattlers and the Chargers. In the first match on Sept. 22, McClintock defeated North Canyon in straight sets straight (21-25, 15-25, 14-25). 

“The last time we played McClintock, the first set was pretty close,” said North Canyon head coach Kinsey Pease. “We did a really good job of siding out and fighting back, whereas in the next few sets, we lost 25-15, and then in the third set, we lost 25-14. Both of those sets, they had major runs of points, like where they were getting eight points in a row…you just can’t come back from stuff like that…”

Led by head coach Jacob Laikona, the Chargers have worked their way to the top spot in the 5A Metro conference. 

On the court, senior outside hitter Jade Kealiinohomoku-Laikona has been a standout for the Chargers. According to MaxPreps, she leads her team in digs, kills and receptions. Additionally, within the conference, Kealiinohomoku-Laikona is first in kills.

Kealiinohomoku-Laikona won’t be the only Charger in Monday’s matchup who can stuff the stat sheet. While Kealiinohomoku-Laikona leads the Chargers and the conference in kills with 89, senior outside hitter and defensive specialist Alyssa Drake leads both groups in hitting percentage at .341.

“McClintock was a good team,” Pease said. “I mean, right now, they’re No. 1 in the conference and undefeated, so they were a really solid all-around team. They had some really good outsides…It’s so nice to have an outside player that is one of those players that’s just all around and can do everything, and they have two of them…”

In addition to Kealiinohomoku-Laikona, Drake is one of three players to record 50 kills or more in 5A Metro this season, according to MaxPreps. The third is North Canyon senior outside hitter Emilia Betlej, with 73 on the season. 

Drake and Kealiinohomoku-Laikona are able to achieve such high levels of success thanks to additional help on the front row. Senior setters Chloe Thomas and Jailynn Shuttle have recorded 124 and 105 assists, respectively, often setting up their outside hitters for thunderous attacks.

The Chargers' offense isn’t the only potent aspect of the team’s game plan. Junior middle blocker Simone Haptonstall sits atop the conference in blocks with 37. The next closest player has only recorded 24. 

With a dynamic front row that can beat teams on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, McClintock will certainly make things tough as the Rattlers try to avenge their earlier loss.

“I definitely think that there’s an intimidation factor, absolutely,” Pease said. “I feel like that’s been a struggle with my girls like mentally all year, is just finding confidence in themselves… I definitely think that my girls will not be as confident going in, knowing that [McClintock is] the top team. But with that being said, I don’t want them to not be confident because I definitely think we can compete.

Not only is Pease encouraging her athletes to build up their confidence before the game, but the players themselves also are doing what they can to raise confidence levels among each other.

“Sometimes when we go into games, we’re ready, and then when we get there, we sometimes freeze up a little bit, so on our way into this next game on Monday, we’re just going to really focus on going in optimistic and just going for it,” added senior middle blocker Jamie Dieck.

Luckily for North Canyon, its defense has the ability to neutralize powerful offenses. Betlej and senior libero Mindy Stafford lead 5A Metro in digs with 147 each. Senior setter Abi Stafford is another key player when it comes to turning defense into offense for the Rattlers. She comes into Monday’s game with 92 digs and 146 assists, a conference best.

The prospects of a rematch also give North Canyon confidence moving into Monday’s game. Not only do they know what they’re going to face in McClintock, but the Rattlers also know what they need to do better in this game.

“It’s really helpful, especially when we’re playing games that we’ve already played before with other teams because we know their strengths and weaknesses or things that they do, like if the setter tips a lot and stuff like that,” Dieck said. “So, it’s going to be helpful going into this game knowing what some of the players do.”

With a bye week due to other 5A Metro schools having fall break, North Canyon will also benefit from a full week of practice and rest before facing one of its toughest opponents.

“I think it’s going to help a lot,” said senior outside hitter Lily Trehey. “I mean, it gives us a rest from constant back-to-back games and a lot of hard work, so hopefully, we’ll come back stronger and more rested…I feel like we needed it because we had a tournament just a while ago and then games for like two weeks after that, so it was a lot at once, but I think it’ll be good [for us].”

As the season begins to winds down, securing a win in this matchup becomes more crucial for both schools. With both teams competing in the 5A Metro conference, a win for either team could help boost their outlook for the AIA 5A playoffs.

Additionally, a win for the Rattlers over a standout team like McClintock will help them maintain their belief that they can be a competitive roadblock for other teams in their conference to finish the season.

“That would be so big,” Pease said. “I’m getting chills just thinking about it…I definitely hope that…we send a message to the conference like, ‘Hey, we are a good team, and we’re still here to compete,’ especially playing all these teams twice. I hope the teams that have beat us will, hopefully, see this or see the competitive game against McClintock and know that we’ve improved and are ready to play them again too.”