God. Kelsey Brooks. Each other.

They inspired this year’s Valley Christian volleyball program to accomplish what it did Saturday afternoon at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Wanting to atone for last year’s championship loss also played a role.

This season, Valley Christian left no doubt who the best 3A volleyball team in the state was. It reaffirmed it during its 25-17, 25-14, 25-15 sweep of Seton Catholic for the 2024 crown.

“We could not have done it without each and every girl on this team,” Valley Christian co-captain Madi Brown-McAlpine said. “Everyone contributed so much. They put all of their time and hard work and effort into every practice, every drill, every point, every game, everything. It worked out so well because of the work we put in and bringing glory to God. I truly believe He had a hand in this.”

Brown-McAlpine also made sure to shoutout a teammate who hasn’t played in the last two years.

Brooks, a co-captain as well, tore an ACL last year and retore it this season, but she still inspired her team to a dominant campaign. Valley Christian (29-12) didn’t drop a match to a 3A school this season.

In this year’s semifinals, it also avenged its 2023 championship defeat to Snowflake, who was the two-time defending champ. In the final, Valley Christian battled a region mate, Seton Catholic, which was making its first state title appearance since 2011.

But Valley Christian’s taller lineup didn’t drop a game to Seton Catholic in their three matches this season. With key players on both teams returning, expect more important meetings between the two next season.

“I’m very proud of them, our starters and our bench,” said coach James Johnson of his Seton Catholic team. “They practiced and worked hard every day. They brought us through this season and carried us. I appreciate every one of these girls and the coaching staff.”

Seton Catholic played for a gold ball for the first time in 13 years. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365) On Saturday, Valley Christian’s biggest deficit was 3-1 at the very start of the match.

In the final game, Seton Catholic (25-13) and Valley Christian, kept siding out at the start. Seton Catholic’s Sophia Fisher’s (15 digs) made an big impression when she dug three consecutive kill attempts early in that game.

Teammates Elizabeth Steinkamp (16 digs, 10 kills) and the athletic Rylan Keane (9 kills) also stepped up. But Valley Christian’s firepower was just too much.

Ellie Stuber, Sadie Wahlin, Lila Limatta and lefty Sydney Simon took turns peppering Seton Catholic’s side with kills. And Ellie Gregg (20 digs) and Brown-McAlpine (21 assists, 12 digs) made sure the ball didn’t touch their side of the court much.

Brown-McAlpine also made two big hustle plays in the match the kept the ball in play.

“It was 100 percent in those girls’ minds going into this year,” said Valley Christian coach Tyleer Trathen about last year’s championship loss. “We wanted to make sure that we made a statement this season. We wanted to make sure we came back and that we were going to come back and win.”

Valley Christian and Seton Catholic players prayed together after Saturday’s 3A championship meeting. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365)