Brooklyn Cohen is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Notre Dame Prep for AZPreps365.com

In its penultimate home conference match of the 2024 season, the Notre Dame Prep girls volleyball team showed off for its home crowd, sweeping the Arizona College Prep Knights, 25-15, 25-8, 25-20. 

The match, played on Wednesday, kicked off with a big celebration, highlighting senior setter Emma McSorley, who reached 1,600 career assists in Notre Dame Prep’s win over Desert Mountain on Oct. 21. 

From the first serve of Wednesday’s match, the Saints were in control. A few long rallies gave way to a big Saints lead, courtesy of big swings from senior outside hitter Payton Palecek and two aces from McSorley. 

The large lead gave head coach Ali Svorinic the opportunity to sub in different players, giving those who didn’t start the chance to make an impact on the game. 

“It's not the easiest thing coming off the bench, whether it's a typical role or it's not, it isn't an easy thing,” Svorinic said. “So I think the encouragement and positivity helps those players execute. And I think we work pretty deep in our bench, and we're very confident that we can throw anybody in at any given time.”

That proved to be true as in the second set, which featured players like junior libero Cassidy Grainger and senior outside hitter Ella Gridley, the Saints pulled away with their biggest leads of the match. 

Gridley, coming off the bench in the second set, led the team in kills, with 11. She played an important role in the team’s success, also picking up two aces and a block. 

“I just love providing for the team in any way I can, and if it's hitting or digging, whatever I can do to help.” Gridley said. 

Her performance was recognized by Svorinic, who acknowledged the opportunity for the senior. 

“It was a fantastic night for her,” Svorinic said. “So very happy and very proud of her. I think she's just been itching for the opportunity, and she's been working really hard, and to give that to her, having six [rotations], she did such a phenomenal job. She's very steady for us, very consistent for us, and just looking forward to what else she gives us in the next three weeks.” 

The second set also provided a chance for junior setter Samantha Cardoza to run the court. 

“I’m just so proud of her,” McSorley said. “Last year was her first year on the team, and I just feel like we became instant friends, and I’m so proud of how much she's grown in these last two years.”

The third set was the most contested of the match, with neither team able to pull away. Service errors from the Saints kept Arizona College Prep in the match, but winning long rallies allowed Notre Dame Prep to keep the momentum on its side. 

Gridley’s two aces came at a pivotal time for the Saints, allowing them to keep the pressure on the Knights passers. Additionally, big blocks from sophomore opposite Roie Van Devander and senior middle blocker Mya Clay shut down the Knights’ hitters and propelled the Saints to victory. 

For Svorinic, the victory showed the grit and determination of the team as it reaches the end of the season.

“I think just with the length of the season, it can just be so long, and bodies are hurting, we're tired,” Svorinic said. “So we met together the past weekend, we have three more weeks left of our season, and we just have to grind it out and come together.”

Svorinic also touched on the goals for the rest of the season, with the ultimate one being to win a state championship. But the team also has a more personal goal of being proud of its performance every game.

“Our biggest thing is that we want to finish on a positive, no matter what, and be able to look back at the journey and say that we gave it all that we had, and so that's been our biggest discussion,” Svorinic said. “And I think tonight was a good showcase of that.”

The next home game for the Saints will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, against the Chaparral Firebirds. The match will also serve as senior night for Gridley, McSorley, Palecek, Clay, and senior defensive specialist Mia Mangone. 

“We're just looking forward to having fun and playing with our best friends, because this is going to be our last season together,” McSorley said. “Just having fun.”