Down 2-0 to Flagstaff, the Lancers had to dig their way out of a hole in the sand to prove that all championships are earned, and some are more difficult than others. It didn’t matter that Salpointe came in with all the experience and swagger of three straight trophies, Flagstaff knocked off top-seeded Mesquite in the semifinal round a couple of days earlier and the Eagles gave Salpointe all it could handle before falling 3-2 Wednesday night at Casteel High School. In many ways, the runner-up trophy was also earned.

“I really didn't expect them to push like they did because the reports I got from people were all ‘you got this,’ Salpointe head coach Heather Moore-Martin explained. “They challenged us and I thought it was awesome. They are definitely under the radar being up there in Flagstaff. They're hidden, they're a hidden gem. I'm really impressed with what Beth (Haglin) does up there in Flagstaff. Not only a great coach, but just really great kids. You know, you can tell that she's a quality person because her kids reflect her,” Moore-Martin added.

Flagstaff. (Andy Morales/AZPresp365)

 

Flagstaff (12-3) came in seeded No. 5 in the Division II playoffs and the Eagles upset No. 4 Northwest Christian 3-2 in the quarterfinal round before taking out Mesquite 3-1 in the semifinals. The upset streak looked like it would continue after freshmen 4’s Nidaya Nez and Brynn Hagerman beat Salpointe seniors Lauren Jones and Grace Utz (21-11, 17-21, 15-10) to put the Eagles up 1-0.

That win was followed up a few minutes later when the 2’s came in with sophomore Lillian Hartman and junior Gabby Saucedo-Salas beating junior Eleanor Sharp and sophomore Kiki Muehlebach (21-19, 10-21, 15-13) to go up 2-0. The Eagles came in ready to work.

“I think they work really hard,” Haglin said on her team. “From the very beginning to the very end, they're always working hard and they're always trying to dream big and just try to do the best they can. They give me everything. Even when I'm saying, ‘Guys, we got three feet of snow on our court like shovel it,’ they do.”

The Eagles needed one more pair to claim the championship but Salpointe responded with the 3’s cutting the lead down to 2-1 with junior Chloe Zhang and senior Hannah Kynaston beating sophomore Peighton Killeen and junior Ava Collins (21-18, 21-12). The 1’s came in next with Salpointe seniors Sophia Hernandez and Megan Muehlebach beating Flagstaff juniors Macie Moseng and Sophie Krassner (21-16, 21-13) to tie the championship match up 2-2.

All attention was shifted over to 5’s where Salpointe sophomore’s Amelia Bartfalvi and Nicole Monge beat sophomore Kaylee Wilson and senior Cydnie Henes (21-16, 21-13) for the 3-2 comeback victory.

“It feels amazing,” Moore-Martin added. “They all feel so great. It's so cool to fill every finger with a state title ring, between boys and girls and beach, it shows a lot about what we do as a program and what Keith and I love and that's volleyball.”

Moore-Martin’s husband, Keith Martin, serves as her long-time assistant coach for both indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. Moore-Martin has two indoor championships with the boys of Catalina (2010 and 2011) to go along with three from the Salpointe girls (2016, 2017 and 2020). The four in beach gives her nine total. She also has three runner-up trophies to her name.

Haglin has two indoor championships with the Flagstaff girls (2012 and 2013) and a previous runner-up trophy in beach (2022) and she loses only one senior to graduation and she will have five seniors return next year so expect the Eagles to make noise again.

Flagstaff earned that trophy. (Andy Morales/AZPreps365)