Maya Diaz is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Vista for AZPreps365.com

Before she could even drive herself to practices, Desert Vista sophomore Piper Garvin was already putting up impressive numbers most upperclassmen strive to post. 

With volleyball in the fall, soccer in the winter and a brief roster spot with track and field in the spring, the multi-sport athlete has no seasons off

Garvin’s soccer journey began when she followed after her sister, Londyn, who also plays at Desert Vista, and their mother, Siene, who played Division I soccer at UCLA from 1997 to 2001.

Her mother jokingly admits she didn't see Piper’s volleyball career coming after middle school tryouts.

“I was kind of laughing, because I didn’t think she was good enough to make it,” Seine said, “and then she made it and fell in love with it.”

Piper would then win at least one district championship in middle school with the Kyrene Altadeña Panthers.

Following her volleyball playing time at Altadeña, Piper translated her skills to Desert Vista, where she landed as the sole freshman on varsity last season. Playing in just over 35 sets, she finished seventh on the team in kills and eighth in digs (58) among the 15 girls on the roster.

So far this season, she has the second-most aces (27) and kills (171) and leads the team in digs (210) and receptions (254) over 72 sets played. She has put up those numbers all while balancing a second volleyball schedule with Aspire Volleyball Club in the spring and summer.

Piper Garvin spikes the ball (Photo provided by Piper Garvin)

Her soccer journey has been just as impressive. As a freshman at Desert Vista, Garvin landed as a forward and midfielder and quickly became a top offensive weapon. Garvin led the Thunder in nearly every statistical category with 21 goals, almost double the next closest scorer (47 points) and finished with an average of 1.0 goals per game.

She obtained a Tempe All-City Award after helping lead the Thunder to the state championship last year.

Piper’s strengths have not gone unnoticed outside Desert Vista. Prep Soccer, a nationally recognized high school soccer coverage and ranking outlet, places Garvin as the No. 5 girls soccer player in Arizona for the class of 2028. 

She also competes in a local Phoenix soccer club, Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club. Through her club coverage, she earned an invitation to the US 14 Youth National Team Central Regional Mini-Camp and collected ECNL U16 All-Conference First-Team recognition.

“She’s just always been passionate.” Piper’s mom said.

With her drive and passion, Garvin has been balancing school just as well as her on-field performances. She said her mentality with being a multisport athlete has shaped her and helped her persevere through double practices and her high-level courses.

“I have to tell myself to push through and give all my effort to both teams,” Piper said, “I can’t be giving half effort to one and full effort to another.”