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Sandra Day O’Connor girls volleyball coach Doug Kiefer directed the Eagles to a state quarterfinal appearance and a trip to Glendale Arena in 2005. With what he calls his most athletic team ever, Kiefer is again hoping for big things this season. O’Connor begins the season Aug. 29.
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Glendale Arena, anytime
Eagles lose slogan but retain team chemistry
by Jason Stone

PHOENIX – Those darn schedule makers.

What seemed like an insignificant date change for a state tournament ended up being a big headache for the Sandra Day O’Connor’s girls volleyball team.

The Arizona Interscholastic Association’s decision to move up the 5A‑Division II state tournament by one week made the Eagles’ team slogan of G.A.I.N. obsolete. When the letters stand for “Glendale Arena In November,” and the tournament is moved to October, G.A.I.O. just doesn’t have the same flair.

“Yeah, we have to come up with something else now,” said senior Nikki Horvath, one of two senior players to have played for the Eagles’ varsity team all four years it has fielded a team. “I don’t know why they moved it to October.”

If the Eagles get back to the state tournament and duplicate or improve on last year’s quarterfinals finish, the team probably won’t care when or where the tournament is played.

Last year was a breakout year for the team. Coach Doug Kiefer led O’Connor to a 17‑13 record and its first‑ever wins in the state tournament. But the success also lit a fire in the Eagles players, who found themselves hurting a little more than they thought when Ironwood eliminated them in last year’s state quarterfinals.

“I think the feeling in us has been dwelling ever since it happened,” said senior middle blocker Avery Fricker, the other four‑year varsity player.

Added Horvath, “I know that feeling like it happened yesterday. It is definitely a drive to do better.”

Players are raving about the team’s good chemistry, something Fricker knows about, as she might major in the subject when she goes to college next year.

“The players are close knit,” Fricker said. “We have a few new players, but we all know them.”

Kiefer calls this year’s team the school’s “most athletic” ever. He also describes it as deep and flexible, with players able to play various positions.

“We just need consistency,” Kiefer said.

Two sophomore setters will be key to the consistency. Jacqui Adamson and Celina Olsen were battling for the position heading into the season opener Aug. 29 at Red Mountain.

Kiefer won’t have to worry about consistency from Horvath, who he said is in “peak physical condition” after numerous leg injuries slowed her for parts of her first three seasons.

“I expect her to have a breakthrough season,” Kiefer said.

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.

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