Richie Meno is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Dysart High School for AZPrep365.com

EL MIRAGE - The loudest cheers may follow the kills and aces, but the quiet hustle of Dysart’s volleyball managers fuels every match.

The two managers are the quiet force behind the Lady Demons, helping the team to a 9-5 record and a 3-1 mark in Black Canyon region play. Their names never appear in box scores, but their work shapes nearly everything about the program’s rhythm and success.

Kyle Giacoletti-Moody, a senior in his third year as a manager, has learned how to handle the chaos of game day. He records stats, tracks libero rotations, controls the scoreboard, and makes sure every detail is in place at practice. Sometimes he even jumps on the court to give players a challenge.

“It can get stressful when I’m doing the book because there’s a lot going on at once,” Giacoletti-Moody said. “But when players asked me for advice and then used it to improve their gameplay, it made me proud to know I had an impact.”

Sophomore Korey Lorti has only been a manager since August, but she already feels deeply connected to the group. A former player, she often warms up athletes without partners and uses her experience to keep things running smoothly.

“I feel like making sure we have everything ready for away games is something not a lot of people notice, but it matters,” Lorti said. “I’m very proud of everyone and how much they’ve grown.”

Her favorite memory is less about preparation and more about laughter. She recalled a match when a teammate tripped on the bleachers and spilled food, leaving the group in tears from laughing.

Head coach McKayla Cantrell said the managers are vital to the program, especially in practices where their skills raise the level of competition.

“Some of our managers are part of the boys team, so they know the game,” Cantrell said. “They help us run drills, they play against the girls, and that has given us an edge against harder opponents. Their strong serves helped our players become more confident in serve receive, which made a real difference in matches.”

Cantrell also pointed to the managers’ dedication during a stretch of long road trips early in the season. Some nights ended at 1 a.m., yet the managers still showed up to practice the next day ready to work.

“They load and unload the bus, run video, and still show up with energy,” Cantrell said. “It shows how committed they are to this team.”

To keep them feeling valued, Cantrell makes a point to thank them daily, reward them with candy after tough nights, and give them time on the court.

For Dysart, the players earn the points, but the managers make sure everything else is in place. Their contributions may not draw cheers from the crowd, but they are essential to the Lady Demons’ success this season.