Tyler Bednar is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Mountain High School for AZPreps365.com

After defeating the McClintock Chargers in four sets in the 5A Conference Play-In on Nov. 1, Desert Mountain volleyball fell to the Notre Dame Saints 10-25, 11-25, 16-25 in the first round of the 5A State Championship at Notre Dame Preparatory High School Nov. 3.

Notre Dame and Desert Mountain battled twice previously this season, with the Saints winning in three-set sweeps both times.

Powered by junior outside hitter Evan Hendrix, who has committed to play college volleyball at Texas Christian University, the Saints jumped to an early lead in the first set. Hendrix played a crucial role in the Saints’ previous two sweeps of the Wolves, tallying a combined 32 kills.

“Evan’s a phenomenal player,” Desert Mountain volleyball head coach Dana Achtzehn said. “It makes it really hard. You almost have to be perfect for us to stay in it.”

The Saints jumped out to a 10-3 lead, with four points coming from Hendrix's hands.

Sophomore defensive specialist Charlotte Kroll added a service ace, cutting down Notre Dame’s lead to 12-6.

The first set slipped away from Desert Mountain, though, as Notre Dame won the first set 25-10.

The first half of the second set was considerably different than the first.

Senior setter Nicole Cronin got the Wolves on the board first with an aggressive kill. Desert Mountain’s bench and fan section celebrated the effort.

Sophomore middle hitter Kaitlyn Millington added a kill, and sophomore outside hitter Olivia Colletto added a service ace, giving Desert Mountain a 5-4 lead early in the second set.

Kroll added her second service ace of the match, the Wolves battled with the Saints, and the second set remained tied at nine.

However, the momentum shifted in favor of Notre Dame. The Saints scored 11 straight points, taking a commanding 20-9 lead in the crucial second set.

The Saints totaled six kills and three service aces during the stretch.

The Saints continued their push, outscoring the Wolves 16-2 in the rest of the set, taking set two 25-11.

“Our effort and energy was not us,” Desert Mountain assistant coach Kileigh Swinton said of the team’s first two sets. “We were giving 20, 40 percent at best. We’re a team of fighters. I was hoping we would come out and give 100 percent on every point, no matter what.”

The Saints overpowered the Wolves early in the third set. However, after trailing 12-3, Desert Mountain put together a gritty comeback.

The comeback started with Colletto’s kill against Hendrix. The Wolves’ bench and fans exploded with cheer as the ball bounced off Hendrix’s arms and went out of play.

Senior setter Sophia Hartel added an important service ace, shrinking the Saints’ lead to 14-6.

“Sophia, tonight, she stepped into a role she hasn’t been playing all season, and she gave her absolute best,” Swinton said of Hartel’s performance. “She left her heart out on the floor.”

The teams endured a long volley that ended in a kill from senior libero Shaina Ross. Very quickly, the Wolves cut the lead to 14-8.

Desert Mountain reached within five points of the Saints’ lead, but Notre Dame eventually put the Wolves away, taking the third set 25-16.

“The last set, we went out and we fought,” Achtzehn said. “Everyone got on the court and everyone of them fought. The bench, the JV players, the freshman players, the parents, everyone was involved cheering and giving it their all, and that’s all we can ask of the program. Couldn’t be prouder.”

The Wolves’ season ends against the Notre Dame Saints in the first round of the 5A Arizona State Playoffs.

Both Achtzehn and Swinton said they were proud of the seniors’ leadership this season.

“The five seniors were unbelievable this year,” Achtzehn said. “I don’t think I’ve been more proud of our leadership of any group I’ve ever coached. They laid the groundwork for eight sophomores and two juniors for them to carry that on.”

Desert Mountain volleyball continues in the spring 2023 semester, when the beach volleyball season begins. Much of the volleyball roster plays for the beach volleyball team.