Keion Russell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism graduate student assigned to cover Estrella Foothills High School for AZPreps365.com

The Estrella Foothills girls volleyball program has emerged as a Region 4A powerhouse in Arizona, showcasing its championship DNA throughout a six-year run to prominence. 

Leading this resurgence is coach Jennifer Gonzales, who has been with the program for 10 years, instilling a mindset in her athletes that will resonate with them beyond their time on the court.

“I always push these girls to be the best version of themselves both on and off the floor,” Gonzales said. “I tell them all the time, hard work and discipline are the foundation for success. If they can commit to that, they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.”

Prior to her arrival at Estrella Foothills, the Lady Wolves had gone 18-15 overall, 5-5 in region competition, and missed the postseason for the third consecutive year in 2014. 

Since taking over the reins in 2015, Gonzales and her group have piled up an impressive 233-55 record, six region titles, and a state championship in 2022.

The breakthrough for this program came six years ago when Estrella Foothills finished with a 28-5 overall record, went undefeated at 8-0 in Region 4A, and reached the quarterfinals of the playoffs. 

“The girls just really bought in,” Gonzales said. “They committed to the process of getting better each and every day, and truly believed in what we were building here. They’ve carried that mindset ever since and that’s why we’ve been able to be successful.”

Season after season, the Estrella Foothills volleyball program has focused on being one of the hardest working, most resilient teams in Arizona, which has led them to be a championship contender in each of the last six years. 

“She’s always pushing us to be better,” senior setter Toto Carter said. “Practices are very intense with the drills that we do, and I feel like that helps us when it comes time to play an actual game.”

While there are many things that can be attributed to the Lady Wolves’ success over that time, it’s the family-like approach and ability to hold each other accountable that has put this group over the top and made them a dominant force in Region 4A. 

“We treat practice like a game, and I feel like that helps us when we’re going up against other schools,” Carter said. “We all really love being around each other and pushing each other to do better. I think that keeps us motivated to keep playing at a high level.”

That mentality resounded with the team over the course of the 2023 season, which saw Estrella Foothills reach the AIA state volleyball championship against Gilbert North. 

Despite the struggles shown throughout that contest  and losing 3-1 in four sets, the Lady Wolves have  used it as motivation and now carries a chip on their shoulders to fuel their desire to hang another banner this season.

“It was a bummer because we wanted to win,” senior setter Emma Curry said. “But this year, we’re trying to get right back to where we left off. We want to win that state ring and we’re going to do everything in our power to accomplish that. We have the talent to do it, we just have to stay focused.”

The Lady Wolves sit at 26-1 on the season, winning their last 25 games in dominating fashion, looking to get redemption for their finals loss a season ago. 

With a roster full of veteran talent returning from a season ago, Gonzales will lean on that group of experienced players to secure the school’s second championship victory since 2022. 

“We know what it takes to get there and we've been preparing since day one of the start of the season to get back,” Gonzales said. “These girls are extremely competitive. They will do everything in their power to be one of the last two teams standing and win the game.”