Nicole Parker is an NAU School of Communication student assigned to cover high school volleyball for AZPreps365.com

The Flagstaff Eagles completed a three-set sweep of the Mingus Union Marauders on Sept. 23, with set scores of 25-17, 25-22 and 25-8.

Freshman outside hitter Josie Turco led the Eagles offensively as they continue adjusting to the absence of starting outside hitter Harleigh Moseng, who is out with an injury. 

Turco made an immediate impact in the first set, with nine kills. The Marauders stayed within reach early, but Flagstaff took control. With the Eagles leading 18-17, they went on a 6-0 run to close out the set 25-17.

Turco said her performance came once she started to become more comfortable with her role on the varsity team.

“I feel like I really understood my place on this team,” Turco said. “As a freshman, I think, ‘I’m the underclassman.’ I feel like instead of that being my mindset, I switched it to make me and others feel like I belong on this team and that I’m a varsity player and not an underclassman.”

Flagstaff coach Beth Haglin said Turco's development has become even more important following Moseng’s injury.

“I think the hardest part for us right now is figuring out how to play without Harleigh,” Haglin said. “Josie was learning the game and was a huge part of our future and is now a huge part of our present.”

The Marauders challenged the Eagles in the second set as the teams traded points. Flagstaff held off Mingus late to secure a 25-22 win and were able to take the 2-0 advantage in the match.

Haglin credited Mingus’ defense and the Eagles’ different lineup combinations for keeping the second set close and the different combinations also came from wanting to give everyone an opportunity to get on the court and contribute.

“We had 15 players and we played all 15 tonight. My goal was to get everyone on the court.” Haglin said, “There were a little bit of different combinations out there that we weren’t used to, and Mingus did a good job of being scrappy and picking up a lot of balls.”

After battling through a close second set, the Eagles carried the momentum into the third. Flagstaff came out strong in the third set and quickly built a comfortable lead with a 9-6 advantage before going on a 10-0 run to extend their lead to 19-6. They allowed just two more points for the rest of the set and finished it with a 25-8 score to complete the sweep.

“I think it’s belief and trust,” Haglin said, “We came out and trusted and believed in each other, and I feel like we played that way.”

Turco finished the night with 15 kills, stepping into a larger role has required her to move past the mentality of being one of the youngest players on the team.

“It was definitely a hard transition with trying to step up, especially losing her (Moseng),” Turco said. “I think with that support and that idea that I need to step up, I couldn’t play scared or fearful of not doing well.”

Looking ahead, Haglin said the biggest takeaway from the win is the trust the Eagles are continuing to build throughout its lineup.

“I think it’s just trust and belief that every person on the team can get in there and get the job done,” Haglin said. “I think everyone did a great job coming in and trusting their own ability and playing as a team out there.”

The Eagles will turn their attention to the Ironwood Ridge Nighthawks on Sept. 24.