Sierra Smith is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Centennial for AZPreps365.com

PEORIA – The Centennial Coyotes suffered a 3-0 sweep against the undefeated Sunrise Mountain Mustangs in a high-energy girls volleyball matchup on October 2. 

Sunrise Mountain (9-0) proved to be the No. 1 team and was explosive and fundamentally sound from the beginning, up nine points in the first set, unlike the Coyotes who had a difficult time finding their footing.

Slowly improving their performance with each set, outside hitter Payton Whalen, a University of South Carolina commit, was doing her best to attack the Mustangs from all angles.

“We lacked in our urgency to start and be up right away,” Whalen said after the game. “I think we slowly got into it and you can see that with our points, and how we got better each set.”

Ultimately dropping the first set 25-13, Centennial Head Coach Leah Orth was visibly frustrated as she called a timeout to rally her team. 

“Get out of your heads right now and pick it up,” Orth said, hoping to regain her players' focus. 

Despite Orth’s pep talk, Sunrise Mountain continued to dominate, pulling away from the Coyotes and winning the second set 25-17. 

The Mustangs’ explosive play and 6-foot-2 players proved to be too much for Centennial as the night went on, but the Coyotes refused to back down as the third set began. 

Down two sets, Centennial player Jalesa Mitchell clapped and spoke agressively in her teammates' faces, trying to keep the energy alive after coach Orth called another timeout. 

“I just let everyone know that it's not over, and we're still fighting, we're still in this, we still have a chance,” Mitchell said after the game. “There were three sets left, so we could’ve won all three.”

Chemistry was key for the Coyotes as they navigated the challenges of the match. Rather than focusing on the scoreboard, coaches uplifted players throughout the night, calling timeouts to regroup and pulling them to the side to review game strategies. 

“The last couple of years, our team hasn’t been so great, but our chemistry is so good,” Centennial defense specialist Aundrea Miller said. “Once you have chemistry, there’s nothing that can defeat that.” 

Sunrise Mountain ended set three 25-21, clinching the match and holding onto its undefeated record.

Regardless of the score, the atmosphere among Centennial fans and players cheered for the Coyotes each set. 

“Centennial this year has a group of girls who play as a team and play for each other,” Payton’s mom, Jen Whalen said. “Obviously you want to see them win, but seeing them pick each other up is kind of the best thing you can watch.”