Koby Mitchell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Bourgade Catholic High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX – Northwest Christian won its seventh consecutive match on Monday as the Crusaders swept Bourgade Catholic,  25-17, 25-12, 25-10. 

Middle hitter Madison Nedeljkovic and outside hitter Cadence Roberts spearheaded the victory for Northwest Christian, 

“Those two young ladies have carried us this year,” Crusaders coach Chuck Hunter said.

Nedeljkovic tallied 10 kills along with two blocks. The sophomore ranks third in the state with a 0.444 hitting percentage this season, a major improvement from her 0.248 percentage last season,

“Madison from last year to this year has done a really good job at moving the ball around all over the court,” Hunter said. 

Roberts led the game with 12 kills, seven of which came in a dominant first set. The junior leads the Crusaders with 250 kills, fourth best in the state.

“Cadence is someone that is really dynamic and really fun," Hunter said. “She did her job tonight.”  

Roberts credits her commanding play on the court this season to a positive mindset.

“Having a good mentality, speaking positive words, and also being an encouraging teammate has helped me the most throughout the season,” Roberts said.

Northwest Christian struggled at the service line on Monday as the team combined for an 85.1 serving percentage.

The Crusaders face a big test on Wednesday versus Payson.

“We have to serve tough. Our serving is a weapon for us,” Hunter said. “So if we can serve tough and get them out of their system, it’ll change the whole dynamic of the game.” 

Northwest Christian combined for 14 aces against Bourgade Catholic and boasts an 89.6 serving percentage this season. Setter Tatum Naber notched a game-high seven aces including three straight in the second set. 

The Golden Eagles remain winless in the 3A Metro conference. The team struggled offensively, tallying 12 kills and a serving percentage of 82.5. However, the team did take home bronze in the Epic Tourneys Girls Volleyball Invite earlier in September and the girls continue to fight for their first regular season win,

“I saw a different energy on the court today and I’m so proud of them for putting up a good fight,” interim coach Ashley Tapia said. “We didn’t let up and let the other team intimidate us.”

Bourgade Catholic has a chance to get into the win column on Wednesday against a struggling ALA Ironwood which has won two games this season, 

“We keep the mindset for every game, it doesn't matter what their record is,” Tapia said. “If they are the best team in our conference or the worst team, we want to make sure we keep these girls prepared for whatever can happen.”

Northwest Christian (9-1) will travel to Payson (8-1) Wednesday at 6 p.m. Bourgade Catholic (0-6) will travel to ALA Ironwood (2-7) Wednesday at 6 p.m.