Trivium Preparatory Academy's girls volleyball program was recognized at a recent awards ceremony. Goodyear City Council meeting with Mayor Joe Pizzillo.
The team was recognized last year for winning its first state championship and two members and head coach Beth Wilson received awards.
“It was a great experience to get that kind of recognition,” Wilson said. “Almost all of our teammates worked hard to be a part of it, and to win our first state championship here at Trivium Prep, especially with a title like this, is really awesome.” That makes it even more special. It became. ”
The two players receiving awards were Eva Norris, who was named the AIA Offensive Player of the Year, and Natalie Guerrero, who was named the AIA 2A Conference Player of the Year.
“I was so happy for them and so proud of them,” Wilson said. “They've both been playing on the varsity four years in a row. … They made the team as freshmen and they led their teammates this year and performed and helped other players and developed everybody. I truly believe they deserve to be recognized for the way they helped shape these young players. Their legacy will be felt for years to come.”
Wilson was named Conference 2A Coach of the Year. She attributed her accomplishment to her team.
“If they weren't that great, I wouldn't even have gotten any attention,” Wilson said. “They come from such a great family. They are amazing girls who are honorable winners, humble, and very teachable and coachable. The girls I work with are great to work with. Is happy.”
This evaluation came after the team got off to a false start last season, dropping its first game of the season against Phoenix Country Day, 3-0. The Crimson Knights did not win a set during the match.
“We lost it,” Wilson said. “And with Phoenix Country Day, they have a great team.”
The girls were not discouraged by the loss. Wilson said the team set a goal to advance to the championship at the beginning of the season, and even had a hashtag for the championship game date (#111023) as their “motto” for the entire season.
After the match against Phoenix Country Day, Wilson said the volleyball team had greatly improved their skills and ability to work together. The Crimson Knights then went on to win the remaining 16 games of the regular season, losing only four sets in those matches.
The team made it to the playoffs four years in a row, but never made it to the championship. But on Nov. 10, 2023, they not only advanced to the state championship, but faced Phoenix Country Day again, having a “full circle” moment and attempting to redeem themselves. The girls team defeated the Eagles and won the school's first state championship.
The Trivium Preparatory Academy girls volleyball program went 16-1 in the regular season, losing only four sets in all matches.
“It was unbelievable,” Wilson said. “The difference between how they played at the beginning of the season and how they played at the end of the season was huge. Their coach said he was really surprised in some ways by the difference that was evident when they started playing on November 10th.”
“They worked hard every practice, every game and gave 100 percent effort,” Wilson continued. “They supported each other and their teammates on and off the court and tried to bond and build relationships. He spoke seriously about striving to do his best.
“And they were able to do it in a way that we haven't seen in the last three or four years because we got to the semifinals and had a disappointing experience in some ways. It was very heartwarming to see them reach the semi-finals and then… advance further and win the championship title separately.”
Wilson said the girls on the team are excited to prepare for next season and are already talking about summer open gym sessions. The team will lose four seniors, including Norris and Guerrero, as well as Laila Dixon and Kylie Delgado, and Wilson said it will be difficult to replace them.
“But we're really looking forward to resetting and trying to figure out how to get repeats next year,” Wilson said. “We’ll figure out how to fill the spots that are left and keep the momentum going and keep moving forward with the same goal in mind.”
Wilson, who is in his 12th season coaching at Trivium, feels he hasn't done anything different as a coach, but the results are finally showing.
“The difference was that the girls accepted and believed they could do it,” Wilson said.
“So my hope is that they'll get behind it again, that they'll believe because that was the difference. They choose to work towards that goal, believing that it can actually be achieved.” And it was so beautiful.”
