Aiden Blanc is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arizona Lutheran for AZPreps365.com

It’s been over a decade since Arizona Lutheran girls volleyball won an AIA State Championship in girls volleyball, the journey to change that begins today.

The Coyotes will begin play in the 2A bracket this afternoon hoping to defeat No. 12 seed Chandler Prep and the winner of No. 4 seed Veritas Prep and No. 13 seed North Valley Christian Academy. Both matches will be held at Mesa High School, part of a six game slate at the site.

ALA won its only state championship in 2014, defeating a Glendale Prep team that entered the match with just one loss. It won two matches in tournament play before bowing out to Thatcher the year after. Since that year the Coyotes have failed to make it out of the first round, having only won a handful of play-in games.

A 13-4 overall record has propelled Arizona Lutheran to the top of the 2A standings, including wins in seven of their eight matches at home.

“We felt like we were playing off the energy of the student section, they definitely help us stick to our fundamentals,” said senior Karin Aguilar after a win earlier this year.

The Coyotes have routinely been cheered on in home matches by a rowdy group of their fellow students, sometimes they’ll even dress up for a theme night. That crazy, sometimes chaotic environment has helped ALA cruise on their home floor, having not lost a match in that building since early September.

According to ALA head coach Brad Bode, his team’s biggest asset has been their experience. After losing just two seniors from last season, 14 upperclassmen lead the charge this year. Sophomore Ava Ohm is the only rostered player without two years or more at the high school level.

“Their leadership is going to go a long way this year,” said Brad Bode of his six seniors. “They’re the ones who remind our team to stay at a certain level.”

The Coyotes fell to Chandler Prep, today’s opponent, in five sets just over three weeks ago. Since that match, they’ve won four straight by a combined score of 12-2, including sweeps in each of their last two matches.

However, the season has not come without its tests. Even in last week’s sweep of Heritage Academy Laveen, the girls were still able to find flaws in their play, and noted that focus needs to be at its highest level entering the playoffs.

“It tested our ability to stay at our level of play,” said junior Kailey Peter after her team trailed for most of the first set. “Staying consistent is probably the most important thing for this group.”

Consistency will be crucial against a Chandler Prep team, further proving that there are no easy nights this late in the season.

The Titans enter with a win streak of their own, having earned victories in their last five matches, including four sweeps. Should the Coyotes advance, they would face either Veritas Prep or North Valley Christian Academy, two teams they soundly defeated during regular season play.