The PCDS Varsity Volleyball team has shown resilience throughout the fall 2026 season. After two early losses, the Eagles knew they couldn’t let those setbacks define their season, especially with their ultimate goal of reaching state.
The team used these losses to improve. The team’s motivation paid off as they earned 1st place in the Canyon Division at the Big Schools Epic Tournament, without dropping a single set and finishing with a perfect 6-0 record. But the Eagles didn’t stop there; they went on to sweep Scottsdale Christian Academy, the defending state champions, at home, earning the No. 1 ranking in Arizona’s 2A division.
These wins did not come easily. After falling early in the season to unranked Chandler Prep and 1A team Cicero Prep, the Eagles lost confidence. Lucie Keul, a senior, explained how these losses affected the team and its players. Lucie Keul stated that “The Chandler Prep game felt very much like a fluke” and that “the Cicero Prep game, I think they beat us fair and square. And I think that kind of broke our confidence even more.” Losing two unexpected games took a toll on the team, yet the Eagles didn’t give up. Instead, after the loss to Cicero and with the fast-approaching Big Schools Epic tourney, the team recognized something needed to change.
During their next practice, the players and coaches met to discuss performance and give each other feedback. “We all sat down and sort of gave each other a lot of hard feedback,” Keul said. “It was not the easiest to hear, but we all grew a lot from it.” This conversation marked a turning point for the Eagles this season; the team sharpened its focus in practice, concentrating on preventing recurring errors.
The Eagles carried that focus into the Big Schools Epic tourney, where their two-set victory over 4A Thunderbird shifted momentum and built confidence for their upcoming matches. They carried that momentum and confidence as they faced Scottsdale Christian, the defending state champion, at home and beat them in three consecutive sets. With region play ending soon and the playoffs right around the corner, the Eagles remain determined to keep improving. Keul said a team can’t let recent success distract from the road ahead, especially in the playoffs. It’s really easy to become complacent, but I think we need to continue to focus and dial in in practices because if not, we’re gonna stop growing,” Keul said.
As the Eagles continue to reach for another state championship, their journey reminds us that success isn’t defined by how a season begins, but by how a team responds to challenges along the way.
