Max Zepeda is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Mountain High School for AZPreps365.com

From the moment a student walks on campus after committing to playing high school volleyball, their environment may seem daunting: From the time commitment and physical grind, to the mentality needed to climb the depth chart to reach a school’s varsity roster.

In the case of Desert Mountain High in Scottsdale, this journey is more calculated than others. Due to the size of its volleyball program and school, it is one of a few schools in the Phoenix Metro area to have a freshman team in addition to JV and Varsity rosters.

Varsity head coach Dana Achtzehn said that as interest in program participation grows, his coaching staff builds players up.

“The system we have here is meant to build a player’s skills, and the seniors we have now are evident of that success,” Achtzehn said. “The year-by-year growth is what we hope every single player receives here, and that’s what I see every day.”

On November 2, Desert Mountain’s elimination in the AIA’s Round of 16 by Peoria’s Sunrise Mountain marked the final time five players will play onto their high school gymnasium floor. For outside hitters Vivian Adamucci and Aubrey Johnson, last Thursday also meant the end of a tandem. Adamucci and Johnson's relationship developed since they were on the freshman squad in the pandemic-riddled fall season of 2020.

Once superstar freshman Nylah Bibby sustained an injury in the final match of the regular season against perennial contender Notre Dame Prep, it was clear that Adamucci and Johnson would need to be the focal points of the Wolves offense.

“Me and Aubrey have been a duo for a very long time, and I love all four of [the senior class members],” Adamucci said emotionally following her last game. “We have been together since the freshman team, and we are sad it’s over.”

Adamucci and Johnson were the two primary offensive forces this season for the Wolves, alongside freshman Bibby. Their emotional reactions to the end of their high school volleyball journey show how coach Achtzehn has built a community mindset both on and off the court, from the moment a player walks onto campus.

“[The seniors] deserve all the credit in the world for what they have done,” Achtzehn said. “I am so incredibly proud of their accomplishments here, and what they will be taking from this experience is hopefully not just skills, but lifelong friendships.”