Jordan Talley is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication student assigned to cover San Tan Charter High School for AZPreps365.com.

GILBERT —  After losing only their seventh set out of 13 games this season, the San Tan Charter Roadrunners volleyball team (12-1) rallied back, winning three straight sets over Chandler Prep (5-9) for the 3-1 victory Thursday night.

Although the Roadrunners entered this contest close to undefeated, the matchup held more weight for San Tan since losing to the Titans in five sets the previous year.

Senior outside hitter Peyton Schwinden was a part of that losing team and had that chip-on-her-shoulder attitude, seeing them once again.

“I’ve been kind of holding onto that loss the whole entire time, so it was really nice to finally get that, and then get our gift back,” Schwinden said.

As the whistle blew, the first set would go on to set the tone for the whole match, where points would constantly be neck and neck. After trading points back and forth, the Titans scraped by with their only win of the game, 25-23. The Roadrunners' first set loss since being swept by Scottsdale Christian Academy on Sept. 22.

San Tan, winning both the second and third sets within a three-point margin, the second ending in a score of 25-23 and the third 25-22.

Although this was a gritty matchup of a lot of back-and-forth play, coachability was the key to success Thursday night, like it has been all season, but not just from coach Kristal Harris, from peers.

“It’s just their willingness to come together and stay positive, work hard and make those adjustments I am asking them to make in the middle of games,” Harris said. “Not just coachable from me but from each other, right, if they’re giving each other feedback in a positive way, like hey, I need this or I need that from you, they are willing to make those adjustments. That’s going to make a team go from good to great.”

San Tan Charter changed the pace from close, tight set wins to the most significant margin of victory of the night, when the Roadrunners took home the W.

San Tan Charter junior setter Ella Shoap was among the stars of the evening, as her presence was felt on all sides of the game, from crucial kills to big-time aces.

Ella Shoap getting ready to serve (Jordan Talley/AZPreps365)

“It gets me hype that I can just keep going, and it makes me want to fight for what I can do,” Shoap said. “It’s just motivation for me.”

While the Roadrunners had a phenomenal night out, on the other side of the court, coach Courtnee Oglesby was giving her girls a chat about the importance of communication.

“They need to listen to each other,” Oglesby said. “There are a lot of times where they were kind of fussing with each other, and so we were telling them you guys can’t do that. You need to talk to each other with respect. ”

While Oglesby believed that they needed more discipline to run away with this game, she praised the grit of her Lady Titans.

“Our hustle was just phenomenal,” Oglesby said. “There were times when I really thought the ball was going to drop, and it didn’t. That’s the part I really like about this team.”

Winning or losing, family is a big part of the Roadrunners’ culture, according to Shoap, as family, friends and fellow student-athletes showed up and showed out for this contest.

“We know we always have those people in our corner that can cheer us on for our wins and successes,” Shoap said. “It’s just great to have that support and be able to have people that can cheer for us like that.”