By Don Ketchum

According to Phoenix Sunnyslope volleyball coach Amber Letarte, her star outside hitter, Madison Kingdon, was sick on Tuesday night (Nov. 9).

Sick, in a good way.

It meant the 6-foot-1 senior was at the top of her game. Her kill shots had more power and velocity than at any point during the season.

And it was evident that Kingdon’s teammates were focused, making kills of their own along with blocks, digs and passes.

It was too much for Prescott to overcome as the Vikings swept to a three-game triumph (25-18, 25-12, 25-23) for their third straight Class 4A Division I championship at Gilbert Mesquite High.

“The girls wanted it. They were excited. They were fired up,’’ Letarte said.

Prescott, which had recorded a five-set victory at home over Sunnyslope earlier in the season, rallied from a 15-10 deficit to take leads of 20-19 and 22-21, only to have Sunnyslope come right back for a decisive scoring sequence.

“Prescott is a strong team. They are so scrappy. We couldn’t afford to let them win,’’ Letarte said.

As for Kingdon, the coach said, “She was just sick. She was on. She’s a real competitor.’’

Kingdon acknowledged that she and her teammates were focused.

“We wanted to prove that we deserved to win, not just because we won before,’’ she said. “We wanted to earn it.’’

As for her own approach to the game and her strong all-around play, she said, “There is a lot of adrenalin in a game like this, a lot of butterfly nerves . . . I just went out and hit harder.’’

Kingdon has committed to play at the University of Arizona and plans to graduate from Sunnyslope early.

There is a certain amount of pressure that comes with trying to repeat as a champion, even more if a team is going for a third straight crown.

“I’m glad it’s over, to be honest,’’ Letarte said.

“I’m kind of in awe of what the girls have been able to accomplish. There have been so many good girls, players, come through here for so many years. It is great for them.’’