Sedona Red Rock High School’s volleyball team knew that it was in for some changes this year. Not only did Sedona lose six seniors from last season’s team, but it also came into the year with a new coach. Despite that, the 2020 team is wrapping up the regular season in much the same way that the 2019 team did — looking forward to the postseason.
The road to the postseason has had some bumps, though not all related to play. Due to a positive COVID-19 test at the high school, Sedona’s team had to play some games in masks. Additionally, two home games were canceled due to non-COVID reasons. A Sept. 25 game was canceled due to a broken main at the school while the Monday, Nov. 2 contest was canceled when a fire on Interstate 17 kept their opponents, North Valley Christian from Phoenix, from getting to Sedona.
“Having games canceled last minute is always a disappointment,” coach Alex Bybee said. “That kind of puts a wrinkle in the way things are going. But they’ve handled things really well. They’ve been really graceful about the masks. They just keep on going, which is what I’d hope they would do.”
Other bumps have come on the floor. The Scorpions endured a four-match losing streak, losing all four games 0-3. But they’ve also responded well to that, winning four of the next five matches. Heading into the final match of the regular season, Sedona sits at 7-6 overall, 6-6 in 2A Conference play and 6-4 in the 2A Central Region.
While high school teams are by definition young, the Scorpions are especially young, particularly when compared to other postseason-bound teams. The regular starting lineup features two sophomores. Furthermore, the roster has four freshmen and no seniors.
“We have a pretty young team but those young players are really pushing through all of the games,” junior Emma Beattie said. “We’re working really hard as a team to win all of our teams and go to state in the end.”
Something that’s buoyed Sedona is that, while the team is young, it’s not devoid of experience. One of the sophomores, Bella Williams, started as a freshman in 2019. Junior Sarah Frey played on the varsity team as a sophomore. Bybee has been especially impressed by how well Frey has moved into the libero role.
The coach also noted how impressed she’s been with Beattie and fellow junior Stephanie Medel. Both started as sophomores but have taken on more of a leadership role as co-captains this year. The transition into the role of captain has gone well and it’s been noticed by the other girls on the team.
“Emma and I have known each other for such a long time — that definitely brings our bond closer,” Medel said. “With the whole team, we can work together and help them out. Everyone just participates in each thing so if Emma and I have suggestions they always take it in a good way. It’s been pretty good. I thought it would be harder but it’s not.”
“Being a freshman coming in with a lot of the older girls, I think the older girls have helped me a lot,” Izzy Griffin said. “The coach, she gives you really good advice and helps you improve on a lot of things. As a player she’s made me a lot better. She makes sure that everyone feels welcome and that everyone feels included in practice and games.”
Bybee expressed similar gratitude toward not only the girls on her team, but all of the student athletes that she’s encountered in her first year at the school.
“This is a very well-rounded group of athletes,” Bybee said. “What has stood out about being a first year teacher here is that Sedona seems to consistently develop very well-rounded athletes. They’re good on the court, they’re good in practice, they’re good as students and they’re good as people. That’s something that I would want the Sedona community to be aware of. The culture of athletes at this school is turning out really well-rounded kids.”
The Scorpions finished the regular season ranked No. 14 in he 2A Conference. As such, they’ll open the postseason on Tuesday, Nov. 10 with a 6 p.m. home game against No. 19 Bisbee. The Pumas finished the regular season 7-7 overall, 5-6 in 2A Conference play and 4-6 in the 2A East Region.
If SRRHS defeats Bisbee, the next game would be in the Round of 16 against No. 3 Pima, No. 4 Rancho Solano Prep, No. 5 Round Valley, No. 6 Scottsdale Christian, No. 7 Scottsdale Prep or No. 8 Trivium Prep. The specific opponent won’t be known until all play-in games are completed. The Round of 16 and state quarterfinals are both scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14 at McClintock High School in Tempe. The state semifinals and finals would also be at McClintock High School, on Saturday, Nov. 21.
