EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been updated from a previous version.

SCOTTSDALE — Preseason injuries and an 0-3 start to the season wasn’t exactly what coach Kirsten Frey had in mind for her Cicero Prep club this fall, but nevertheless, it was the hand she was dealt.

Of course, none of that matters now.

The Centurions claimed the first 1A state championship in program history Saturday afternoon, Nov. 4, sweeping No. 2-seeded St. David 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-21) to hoist the gold ball trophy.

“This year has been one of our most challenging so far. We entered preseason with large goals and a lot of talent, but we were quickly humbled by numerous injuries,” Frey told AzPreps365.com in an email for the state preview programs in October.

“These injuries made us have to adjust many of our plans, but this team is resilient and fought hard to overcome those challenges,” Frey added.

Fitting that Cicero (25-6, 4-0 1A East) defeated St. David, which is one of the most successful volleyball programs in 1A history, having claimed nine state championships in more than 50 years in the sport.

The Tigers (28-11, 7-0 1A Tucson Southeast) recently won back-to-back state titles in 2019 and 2020, with their first championship coming in 1972.

After the 0-3 start in August, Cicero Prep didn’t lose another power point match the rest of the season, going 18-0, including the playoffs.

In fact, the Centurions lost only game in those matches, a 3-1 victory over North Phoenix Prep in the state quarterfinals Nov. 3. All other matches were 3-0 sweeps.

"Throughout the season, each of us have made numerous sacrifices, whether that is time with friends and family or availability to work or study. ... Watching them win the championship made all of those sacrifices worth it," Frey said Monday, Nov. 6, via email. 

In the playoffs, No. 1-seeded Cicero Prep beat No. 16 Desert Christian, 3-0; beat No. 8 North Phoenix Prep 3-1; beat No. 4 Mogollon 3-0 and finally, St. David 3-0 in the title match.

Having not made the state playoffs in 2019, Cicero Prep did a little bit better each year after, qualifying for state in 2020 but losing in the first round to Desert Christian 3-1, then advancing to the quarterfinals in 2021 after beating Immaculate Heart 3-0.

In 2022, the Centurions beat Ash Fork (3-0) and Red Mesa (3-0) before losing to No. 1 Williams 3-0 in the state semifinals.

And in 2023, they went all the way.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.