Memphis Coles is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Tempe Prep Academy for AZPreps365.com

“Happy, Scrappy, Together” has been the team mantra for the Tempe Preparatory Academy Knights this season, consistently referenced throughout the year.

“We don’t give up on plays,” coach John Bundy said after practice on Tuesday.

Bundy has instilled a culture of hustle and togetherness to build towards his goals for the program: “Building the program and getting back to state.” 

Tempe Prep was 1A Valley when it went to the state championship in 2021. Now in 2A Valley, it is looking to get back to the title game in the higher division. 

This year, it is No. 15 in the 2A Valley Girls Volleyball rankings, according to AZPreps365. 

The Knight’s last game of the season will be against Phoenix Country Day tonight. Phoenix Country Day is 15-1 and No. 3 in the 2A Valley Girls Volleyball rankings.

"[We] want to put the pressure on them constantly with every contact you send over the net,” assistant coach Dan Smith said. “Whether it’s a serve, an attack, a down ball, a free ball, how can we make it as challenging on the other team as possible?”

Bundy, who is in his second year coaching Tempe Prep, has changed the way the team practices and players have noticed. 

Senior libero Ava Butler has been on Tempe Prep’s varsity team since she was a freshman.

“Coach Dan and coach Bundy are really drill based,” Butler said. “They do a really good job at making sure that everybody's involved and doing drills.”

Throughout the practice on Tuesday, every player was involved in the various drills. Even when players were occasionally not directly playing, they worked on their hitting and ball handling on the side.

In addition to working on being aggressive in the attack, the team worked on their digs and passing. 

Especially against tougher teams in the conference, TPA has struggled against efficient attacks this season. For example, North Valley Christian tallied 47 kills as a team against the Knights. Smith emphasized being strong in the middle. Many drills involved communicating between the front and back lines. 

There was chatter of playoffs at practice on Tuesday, too. Tempe Prep can potentially earn a home playoff game if it is able to win at Phoenix Country Day, and things go its way around the 2A Valley.

The Knights are sure they can make a run to the championship this year, and senior Abigail Baker was confident in their ability to advance. Even when problems occur on the court, the team sticks together, she said.

“Any mistake that we make in a play, it’s all of us,” Butler said. “It’s never just one person.” 

Freshman Ella Buettner has felt welcome by senior leaders such as Butler and Baker.

“They’re so friendly,” Buettner said. 

When recalling her favorite game of the season, Buettner emphasized her digs and the team’s “scrappy” play.

Going forward, the Knights carry their mantra with them to the playoffs.

“We always come out of a game feeling happy together,” Butler said. “I don't think we ever give up on balls. So that's definitely being scrappy and happy.”