Olivia Clark is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Cicero Preparatory Academy for AZPreps365.com

Four years ago, four freshmen joined the Cicero Prep volleyball program, beginning a journey that has included four consecutive state titles and one final season together.

Before joining the program in high school, seniors Layla Hrabe, Claire Hodgson, Nicole Damian and Kate Harrigan had already formed a strong connection. Having played together since the age of 12, their bond goes beyond the court, creating a friendship that has grown alongside their journey as teammates. 

Aside from tournaments, matches and practices, they spend a lot of their free time together going to Black Rock Coffee Bar and Playa, which are some of their favorite memories. Going through this experience together has become one of the most meaningful parts of their high school seasons, especially this year as their journey together comes to an end. 

“This year brings a lot of emotion,” said Harrigan, “just thinking about not being able to play with these girls ever again, but also knowing that this is something very special.”

For Hrabe, this season isn’t focused on the pressure of securing another state championship, it’s all about being present and remembering every part of the journey, especially reflecting on how the program has evolved. 

“I’m just really grateful to be a part of such an amazing program and like we’ve come so far and put in so much work, and never gave up,” Hrabe said. 

Looking back on the first state title, Hrabe described the experience as surreal. Winning a state championship was something they always wanted and it’s become a reality four years in a row, making their final season together even more special.

“Whenever I think about us winning, I always picture us on the floor, crying and it’s just something that never gets old,” Hrabe said. 

The three previous championships were won under Coach Kirsten Frey, but as of this season, Brooks Dockter, became the new head coach. Taking over the program with an established winning tradition, Brooks was aware that this team had already created so much success.

“One of the big things was we didn't need to reinvent the wheel,” Brooks said. “We have to be supportive of these kids and bring a little bit of our own flavor to what’s going on, but these kids know the game really well.”

The coaching transition brought a new perspective to the team. Hrabe and Damian both described Dockter’s coaching strategy as refreshing, explaining that his direct and calm communication allowed their team to feel supported while continuing to make adjustments.

“I think he’s definitely honoring the tradition and just really likes being part of our program and just seeing how close we all are,”  Damian said. 

Losing these four athletes, who have been a big part of the program’s success, means saying goodbye to a significant part of the team’s foundation and culture. Dockter explains that these athletes are able to provide stability for their teammates during games and practices.

“You need kids that have played in big moments and if you watch them play, they’re just the calm on the court,”  Dockter said. “When you’ve won as much as they have, we usually get everybody’s best effort.”

Over the years the program has evolved, but so have these four athletes. Entering their junior year, Damian, Hodgson and Hrabe transitioned into being captains. Influenced by the positive impact previous players had on them, they carried those same lessons into their roles and made it a priority to ensure every teammate felt valued and supported. 

“Whenever it was like our first time out on the court or celebrating a big play, we really focused on making them feel important and loved,”  Hrabe said.

For the second season in a row, Damian and Hodgson are serving as captains together, carrying the leadership and team energy they established last year into this season.

From their first state championship victory together, winning created an ongoing tradition of celebrating each other even when there were doubts at the beginning of the journey. The key to their success is seeing the potential in each other.

“I think even freshman year everyone wanted to win state, but we didn’t know if it would happen,”  Damian said. “In the back of my mind, I was like this is gonna happen.” 

She explained that winning the state title her freshman year and seeing everyone from the bench and the bleachers rush the court was the ultimate underdog story. 

As they look forward toward what’s next they leave behind memories, relationships and contributions to the program that go far beyond the Cicero Prep court. 

“Cicero volleyball has really come around and they’re really putting their name to it and leaving an awesome legacy here,”  Dockter said.