Daniella Trujillo is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Centennial High School for AzPreps365.com 

Centennial High School first-year volleyball coach Reagan Leonard knows what it is like to win a championship. The Centennial alumna was a part of the team when the Coyotes won state in 2016.

Since then, Centennial has not won a state championship. Last season the Centennial High School Coyotes took third place in the 5A Northwest conference and finished 16-12.

This season, the team is in second place in the 5A northwest conference with a record of 12-9. It can also boast nine seniors, one junior, two sophomores, and one freshman.

Currently, the team is ranked No. 9, so the team has to continue to win games to earn the chance to play in the state tournament. 

Captains Kira Federico and Raeli Smith have been on varsity since their freshmen year and Aspen Krumpos has been on varsity since her junior year. That experience has helped them grow into team leaders.  

“We have seen a lot of great athletes come through the program and it makes it easier for us to be captains since they were great role models it set a good example of how we should be,” Smith said.

Being a captain means not only do underclassmen on the team look up to you, but other players from other levels as well, captain Aspen Krumpos said.

“It adds some weight on your shoulders, but it’s a good weight,” Krumpos said. “Being a leader means representing yourself and how you act after every point.” 

So far, this has shown on the court. The team continues to remain positive and cheer for each other, no matter if they are losing or winning.

This team has some ups and downs with winning and losing streaks throughout the season but Federico said she makes sure the team knows “ to not let the past dictate what we do, every team is beatable."

“You feel good, you play good," she said.

With only four regular-season games left, the team continues to improve and leave it all on the court.

“At the beginning of the season, it was a little bit harder for us to bond but now over the past couple of games we have really bonded as a team,” said freshman Alex Thompson. “I think it has definitely shown on the court and we are pulling out the wins.”

With nine seniors on the team, some athletes, such as Federico and Smith, have verbally committed to play after college. But for others, this is likely their last time playing volleyball. Federico said she is taking all the moments she has and giving her full effort. 

“It is a bittersweet moment because it is my last time in high school and it is a different level of competition I will never get again,” Federico said.

The Coyotes have two home games left, including a rematch against long-standing rival the Sunrise Mountain Mustangs (15-6) Oct. 17 at home.