Centennial's Nyjha Marcelin (No. 5) celebrates with Kacey Stewart (No. 2) and Ashley Lifgren. Photo by Dixon Vasco/maxpreps.com.

Centennial's girls volleyball coach Cari Bauer still catches herself reminiscing about the very rewarding 2016 season.  

Who can blame her. Her team made a lot of noise while winning the 5A title in Bauer's first season at the helm. 

As for the 2017 campaign, it is still early, and the communication between Bauer's young players isn't at the level she's accustomed to. But on Tuesday, the coach heard her team loud and clearly against a shorthanded yet still tough opponent, Verrado. 

What stood out in the 25-20, 25-19, 25-11 sweep was Centennial's execution down the stretch of the first two games. 

"I give ourselves a 10 out of 10 in the communication department near the end of those games," said middle blocker Taleah Cooper, a starter on last year's state championship team.  

The forceful bounce the volleyball made off Verrado's court after Cooper's team-high 10 kills also drew attention.

Centennial's Taleah Cooper. Photo by Dixon Vasco/maxpreps.com

Cooper and another high riser, Nyjha Marcelin, did most of their damage in the middle, where Verrado was missing a starting middle blocker. Concussion protocol and an injury kept three of Verrado's starters, including a setter, out of the match between the two non-region opponents. 

But that didn't stop Verrado from keeping pace early, when the teams were tied 18-18 in Game 1 and 2. Around those points, however, is when Centennial took over. 

Twelve aces, five of which Sommer Kasney collected, also hurt Verrado. Two aces and three Marcelin kills helped Centennial (7-3) clinch the first game.

Kasney also pitched in a couple of kills to close out the second game. Centennial setter Kacey Stewart had 37 assists in Centennial's predominately quick offense. 

The final game was knotted at 11-11 before Centennial completely took over. 

"It's a resilient group," Verrado coach Mike Lussier said. "We'll rebound."

The "super athletic" Rachel Abramson led 6-3 Verrado with 13 kills.

Verrado's Rachel Abramson. Photo by Vasco Dixon/maxpreps.com. To purchase photos, contact Dixon at studiovpicsaz@gmail.com.