Olivia Wells is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Paradise Valley for AZPreps365.com.

The Paradise Valley varsity volleyball team took home another win Thursday, defeating the McClintock Chargers on the road.

It unfolded just as coach Jessica Spencer recently had predicted: “We’re gonna win it in three,” she said. 

And so the Trojans did. 

Paradise Valley got off to an explosive start, easily scoring and finishing off the first set, 25-12.

Junior Jadyn Armstrong led in assists with her amazing ability to find teammates for a kill. “I know when they’re up, when they’re not up, when they’re there and when they’re not there,'' Armstrong said. "It’s pretty hard, but you get used to it after 10 years of playing.” 

Jadyn Armstrong setting to her teammate, Emma Parmley (#12)

The second set was more of a challenge.

“We got a little hard on ourselves, maybe we got a little bit too cocky.” Armstrong said.

The teams were tied several times, and despite the limited number of people, the crowd was screaming for one team or another. Each bump, set and spike had everyone on the edge of their seats. But in the end, Paradise Valley took the second set as well, 29-27.

When McClintock put on the pressure, senior Madeline Muller's defense was there to save the day. “I’m usually watching the setter before I’m even watching the hitter," Muller said. "I’m watching where she’s going and I can usually track the hitter from there.”

Madeline Muller blocks to put the ball back onto McClintock's side

Muller’s observation prevented McClintock from scoring when she came to the net. 

Through it all, junior Annie Maschue’s encouragement and motivation from the sideline kept Paradise Valley motivated, a key factor in a road game with limited fans. Annie Maschue encourages her teammates from the sideline

“I think it’s really important to be loud and be there for your team because it keeps the energy and intensity up in the game, which always changes the play,” Maschue said. 

In the third set, Paradise Valley refocused and finished off McClintock, 25-18.  

The Trojans improved to 3-0. Their confidence is high.

“All the way baby!” senior Grace Gin said. “Playoffs, state, here we go!”

Paradise Valley returns home to take on North Canyon on Friday.