Andrew Martinez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Phoenix Country Day School for AZPreps365.com.

PARADISE VALLEY-- On senior night at Phoenix Country Day School (PCDS),  the Eagles honored their seniors while extending their win streak to 19 matches. In front of packed bleachers filled with students clad in all-white clothing, PCDS dispatched the Glendale Prep Griffins in straight sets: 25-8, 25-10 and 25-11.

The Eagles' nest looked as if a blizzard had hit with the PCDS supporters dressed in white. The team honored its five seniors: Lilly Robinson, Ella Cabbil, Charli McCarter, Ella Wilmink, and Alex Goldstein.

Once play began, the Eagles served up an avalanche of kills, blocks and aces. Within minutes of the opening serve, the Eagles flew out to an 11-3 lead, thanks to great service by Robinson and star freshman Quincy Rodin. Cabbil also got in on the action with two early blocks which electrified the PCDS players and crowd. The Eagles finished off the opening set with 17 of their points coming off kills or aces.

During this dominant 18-match streak, the Eagles have lost only one set. That occurred on September 30 against Veritas Prep, a 25-21 hiccup in the third set of their match.

“It's been hard because we will play easy games and hard games," said coach Kat Glaeseman. ”To keep our mindset there and our consistency there we are really just trying to have intense practices and make sure we are setting goals for ourselves and holding ourselves accountable, holding each other accountable, and holding ourselves to a high standard. Trying to make ourselves better every practice, every game.”PCDS freshman outsider Teraya Sigler sends down a hard spike. (Andrew Martinez/AZPreps365)

Despite the team's dominant reputation, they are a loose bunch: dancing rowdily to pre-game music, joking around and laughing with one another, and being each other's biggest fans on the court and the sidelines. The lighthearted nature of the team is due to the close bond the girls have developed with one another in a short period of time.

“In past years, we haven't always had that (bond), it's a new thing for us and I think we are still adjusting to that,” said Robinson. “ A hundred percent we are very silly and goofy and it not only relieves the stress of the situation, it also helps us bond with each other while we're playing, which for a lot of people is hard to do. There can be tensions on the court sometimes and we use that (bond) a lot of times to relieve that.”

The Griffins took an early 3-2 lead in the second set, but it was short-lived. Robinson, a senior captain, impacted the game with her setting accuracy and borderline telepathic chemistry with her star outsiders. The Eagle offense was awakened and PCDS soared to a 10-4 lead. At this point in the game, the Eagles' other star freshman outside, Teraya Sigler, racked up six kills and concluded the set with an ace. 

PCDS started out hot again in set three, but some impressive rallies and a couple of unforced errors from the Eagles kept Glendale Prep's hopes alive. The Griffins got within three points of the Eagles, making the score 11-8, but Robinson and the Eagles offense stayed calm and extended their lead winning many points in rapid sucession. Almost instantly the scoreboard read 21-11, and the Griffins were forced to call a timeout. They didn't have much luck after this, yielding the next four straight points to the Eagles. Game, and match, to PCDS.

Sigler ended the night with an impressive 16 kills, three aces, and a block. Rodin finished with 10 kills and four aces. Robinson was all over the court with 24 assists and four aces as well. 

This Friday the Eagles will face talented Scottsdale Christian Academy (19-4) in a rivalry match. Scottsdale Christian is the number-one ranked team in the 2A Metro Division, and PCDS is numbe two. “We are very determined to win this game on Friday.” said Robinson. “So we are hoping that we're gonna keep the winning streak going until state's, as far as we can take it. Obviously it's still one game at a time and we are putting all of our focus into this game on Friday so we can do our best.”