Jorge Ian Guajardo is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Corona del Sol for AZPreps365.com

Dozens of banners hang from the rafters in the gym at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe.

Reminders of a legacy and glory that still glow in the desert. A legacy that a player and coach have helped build over the past four years, and a glory that a particular player has chased since her freshman year.

Erin Clark is a senior captain and libero for the Aztecs. Clark won the libero position as a freshman and has not relinquished it since, which is a testament to her competitiveness and drive to reach the sports summit once again, according to Aztecs coach Ben Maxfield.

Earlier this season, Clark recorded her 2,000th career dig, a rare milestone that underscores her consistency and dominance in the back row over four varsity seasons.

Senior Libero Erin Clark warms up before her match against the Hamilton Huskies. (Jorge Guajardo photo/AZPreps365)

“When she came in her freshman year, we actually were very uncertain about our libero returning,” Maxfield said. “(Erin) was a setter for the freshman team, and we were like, ‘hey, let's try her out a little bit as a libero, right?’ She's never played it before. About four weeks into the season, she got the jersey, and she's never let go of it for four years now.

In volleyball, the libero serves as a defensive specialist, key to maintaining ball control through digs — when a player saves a kill — and accurate passes. The libero wears a contrasting jersey color so that they are easily seen, as they can freely substitute in the back row without formal substitution rules.

“The people I was surrounded by made it so amazing and not a super hard change for me,” Clark said, “and I think with my setting background, it helped with a lot of things with the libero position because I just felt like I already had pretty good defense, and it helped my out-of-system setting and just ball control in general.” 

Clark’s journey back to the state championship is nearing its end. With the regular season finale coming on Tuesday against top-ranked Xavier Prep (29-2),  the playoffs and their intensity will be on display soon. The Aztecs (30-5) are ranked second in the state.

Clark’s spirit on the court inspires and propels one of the youngest Aztecs players, sophomore middle blocker Mikaela Lee-Tsosie.

“She’s our leader and our captain,” Lee-Tsosie said. “When you're playing with high-level athletes like Erin, you want to be like them, and I try to be. I try to keep up with them, compete with them. I don't want to fall behind them. I want to be as good as them.”

Senior Libero Erin Clark celebrates with her teammates after scoring in a volleyball match against the Hamilton Huskies. (Jorge Guajardo photo/AZPreps365)

“I really appreciate that leadership role,” Clark said, “because I'm confident in the way that I lead. I lead by example for a lot of the younger girls, and I do not take that lightly. 

“A lot of emotion that helps me keep myself motivated and keep the drive going,” Clark said. “Because, I mean, it's my last chance to get it again, and it would be the perfect ending, and that’s really important to me.” 

Clark won a state title her freshman year, in 2022, and finished as a runner-up in 2024, losing bitterly in the final set 27-25. The Aztecs have fought hard in 2025 to return to the top.

Corona del Sol volleyball has seen its fair share of outstanding players. Although Clark stands in a league of her own, her likely spiritual successor, junior setter Adelyn Chang, hopes to emulate her leadership.

“She makes such a difference on and off the court,” Chang said. “It's like when you're struggling and it's such a mental game, you can turn to someone when you need them, and that's who she is.

“I hope that I can help do that next year and just take over that role.  I love Erin. Honestly. I'm really sad that she's going to leave next year.” 

Senior Middle blocker Hayden Connor, junior setter Adelyn Chang, and senior libero Erin Clark get their defense set in a volleyball match against the Hamilton Huskies.(Jorge Guajardo photo/AZPreps365)“For us, it's about being a team player. You're in this with your team. You're always giving credit to the players around you,” said Clark, who will play for the University of Alabama next year.  “This game is not an individual sport. It's always a team game. I wanted to be remembered as a selfless leader who led by example. Fearlessly.”

Then there are bonds formed through competition. Senior middle blocker Hayden Connor, an outstanding player in her own right, was inspired to transfer to play for the Aztecs after her freshman year.

“I feel like Erin is one of the things that gravitated me here to Corona,” Connor said.

With Connor and Clark leading the way toward what could be a championship season, their connection on and off the court has cemented their bond and furthered their fight toward one of their goals -- winning the state title.

“So, our main goal is to win state,” said Connor, who will play for the University of Washington next year. “I know I can trust her. I always hear her behind me, and I can trust her to get the ball up. I can trust her to dig it. I can trust her to make her serves. I feel like it's definitely us as a pair. I feel it works so well on the court.”

“We all know how we need to run the court,” Clark said. “I think going to the libero position, I'm running the back court and the back row, so I've gained that confidence in knowing how to communicate with my teammates without getting them frazzled or stressed out.”

Despite all the competition and accolades, despite the chase for glory, there is a person beneath the jersey, and that person is what impresses Maxfield the most.

“She’s a great volleyball player, but what I like about her more is that she's just a great person,” Maxfield said. “She’s tutoring some of our players right now who are struggling in a couple of classes. So, she'll sit on the bus and help them with their homework. She took it upon herself to help them.”

Selfless, courageous, caring, fierce -- these were just a few of the words that players and coaches have used to describe Erin Clark, and as the season nears its climax, Clark reflects on what is most important to her.

“My teammates are my best friends,” Clark said. “We always say we're like a family. My best relationships are with my teammates, and I think they're people that I'll have my life forever, and that makes me so happy.”