(Desert Vista's boys volleybal team. Photo by Babe's Photo.)

Desert Vista’s boys volleyball team can intimidate an opponent as soon as it walks in a gym.

The Ahwatukee school starts a couple of bruisers in the middle, Brock Wilson (6-5, 210) and Ryan Adams (6-7, 185), and also shows up to gyms with senior Sebastian Klype (6-5, 190). But besides its height and muscle, what really makes Desert Vista scary is its ability to also use its volleyball experience to put away opponents.

The lineup is filled with seniors, a well-needed luxury, especially around playoff time, when young men prove what they are really made of. Desert Vista will know this week just how much its grown this season, with the stretch drive of this season quickly approaching.

Desert Vista and its Hulks will play in Brophy’s tournament Friday and Saturday to gauge where it stands among the state’s elite.

Ryan Tolman believes this is one of his better all-around teams he’s coached in his nine seasons as Desert Vista’s head coach. The program won a state title in 2007 and has reached the state quarterfinals every year except for one season since Tolman took over.  

“You rarely get a stud in each position, but to have a deep team like this and have them contribute is nice,” Tolman said.

Tolman’s team starts five seniors, including its three captains, Wilson, Drake Moran and Kyle Pitman.

Pitman, a three-year starter at setter, is one of the team's unquestionable leaders. The basketball star and bright student joined the volleyball team a bit late this season.

Pitman was in the process of regaining his volleyball legs when Desert Vista (19-4) lost its only matches to Arizona teams this season. He is receiving time to show off his vertical this season as a hitter more, as he shares setting duties with another leader who can hit, Moran.  

Pitman and Moran have a pair of great weapons, Wilson and Adams, in the middle, who lead the team in kills and kill percentage. Moran is third on the team in kills with 90.

Adams tried out for the team as a freshman but was cut, but he never lost his passion for volleyball.

“They (Adams, Wilson) are exciting players to watch when they go up to hit,” Tolman said. “You have to pay attention to them. They open up things for us.”

But the best all-around player for Desert Vista might be Garrett Halverson, another senior and the team’s go-to hitter on the outside.

The only non-senior to start for Desert Vista is its libero, junior Sam Mathers, the team’s leader in digs.

“We have a well-rounded team,” Tolman said. “We don’t have too many holes.”