By Don Ketchum

As talented as the volleyball players from Phoenix Sunnyslope are, “we can’t just go out there every game and just walk away with a win. We have to earn it.’’

So says star outside hitter Madison Kingdon, analyzing her team’s outlook regarding the possibility of earning a third straight Class 4A Division I state championship.

Kingdon is a 6-foot-1 senior outside hitter with as powerful of a kill shot as anyone would want to see. It earned her a spot on The Arizona Republic’s All-Arizona Team a year ago as a junior and has helped her earn an athletic scholarship to the University of Arizona, although she likely could just as easily go because of academics. She will graduate from Sunnyslope six months early, in December.

On Tuesday, Aug. 31, Kingdon was joined by her best friend, 5-7 senior setter Heidi Thompson, and their strong group of teammates in a three-set victory at Phoenix Greenway (25-9, 25-18, 25-8). On Thursday, Sept. 2, Sunnyslope has a rematch on the road with its opponent in last year’s title match, Cave Creek Cactus Shadows.

When setting up her teammates, Thompson has a soft touch and can be deceptive, putting the ball over the net on her own in a spot that is unreachable by opponents.

“We have a lot of pride. We want to be competitive every match and we also want to make sure we have fun,’’ said Thompson, who was a second-team 4A All-State pick a year ago.

Sunnyslope seems to have a good mix of power, good passing and quickness. Two more 6-1 players, senior Alannah Cullum and junior Andrea Lawrence, help form a barrier over which it is difficult to get the ball. Alex Willcoxson, a 5-6 senior libero, also plays a key role.

“These girls are amazing people,’’ said coach Amber LeTarte, who also coached the Vikings to a title with an unbeaten season in 2006.

“They are fun to be around. They love volleyball. They love to compete. They work hard in practice – they don’t slack off. They give everything they have every single day. And I really don’t have to remind them about keeping their grades up. They know what they have to do.’’

Kingdon thinks the team is in better condition this season.

“We’re also faster, stronger and more intense,’’ she said.

As elementary school students, Kingdon and Thompson did not like each other until Thompson’s mother helped bring them together through volleyball. Kingdon had been more interested in basketball, but made the transition to volleyball and enjoyed its energy.

Once they became friends, Kingdon and Thompson even went to surf camp in Carlsbad, Calif.

Can they surf now?

“Uh, yeah, sure, I can go through the (Banzai) Pipeline,’’ Kingdon said, jokingly referring to the notorious waves on the north shore of the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Kingdon was helped by the fact she grew about four or five inches during her freshman year.

“I grew, too, to about 5-8,’’ Thompson said, laughing.

Thompson also was a swimmer during her early years at Sunnyslope and continues to participate in track and field, in events such as the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the 4x100 relay.

It is difficult to top two state volleyball titles. Can the team make it three?

Said Thompson: “The first time was awesome.  We were so young and it was a tough match (against Glendale Cactus). Last year was great, too. We definitely want to do it again.’’