(Ashlyn Register is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Centennial High School for AZPreps365.com)

Hawaiian Night at Sunnyslope turned into “paradise” for Centennial’s volleyball team Wednesday.

The Coyotes (9-1) beat the Vikings (10-1) in a 5A regional showdown in three straight sets, 28-26, 25-18, 25-18.

It was the first night back for the Coyotes normal rotation since outside hitter Ashley Lifgren had been hurt.

Centennial faced adversity in the first set when middle Nyjah Marcelin came out of the game with a minor injury.

Marcelin’s absence gave the Vikings momentum to tie the game 24-24.

“Nyjha’s presence on the court has a huge effect on the games,” Lifgren said. “You could tell when she wasn’t there, we were a little thrown off.”

The Coyotes held on to win the set and carried the momentum throughout the rest of the game.

“This is just a huge game for us,” Lifgren said. “The fact that we were competing and executing that just kept us going throughout the whole match.”

Marcelin was determined to get back in the game. She played in sets two and three.

“This game was really important to me because we didn’t beat them last year,” Marcelin said. “We had to win this year. I wanted to give it my all.”

Coach Cari Bauer recognized the impact Marcelin had on the court.

“We have just depended on Nyjha on a lot of things,” Bauer said. “She is a sixth rotation middle, which is not normal. It effects the confidence and the whole court chemistry.”

Even though Marcelin is a middle, Bauer believes she is leading the team in digs.

“She can run anything down. She is super athletic,” Bauer said. “She just provides that smart one big play. She provides energy.”

Bauer and the Coyotes recognized how big this win was and hope to keep the momentum going when they have their next regional match up against Ironwood Tuesday.

“It is good confidence for us. This is a phenomenal program,” Bauer said. “They are in our region. We will see them again; it doesn’t get any easier, but it is good confidence for us.”