Marvin Forbes is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Perry High School for AZPreps365.com

Perry High School is known for their basketball prowess, but flying under the radar are the members of the boys volleyball team. The team is quietly dominating games. Currently ranked first in the state and thirteenth in the nation, the Pumas have had quite the season.

The Pumas are 23-3 and looking to win out. The team is on pace for one of their best seasons yet, which is saying something considering they’ve won two state championships in the last four seasons. 

This season, the goal is no less. 

“In Arizona if you get the first or second seed you get to host a semi final game. We like our chances of playing at home in the semi finals if we can get there to get a chance to play for the state finals, so winning one or two is important to us,” said head coach Ryan Tolman after a home win against Casteel High School.

The importance of home court advantage is undeniable, but the team doesn’t want to get too far ahead of themselves even though they have high expectations. Of course rankings and championships are on their mind, but they are focused on winning one game at a time.

Volleyball is truly a team sport relying on energy and communication amongst teammates. After watching even a small amount of volleyball, the average viewer can understand energy and constant communication is something all good teams have in common. 

The Pumas have this down to a science, riding the wave of good vibes and positive reinforcement all season.

When asked what it’s like to play for Perry, sophomore setter Zac Tomlinson said, “It feels amazing being on such a good team and being around such great guys.”

From the outside looking in, it’s easy to tell how close knit this group is. Before and after games crack jokes and poke fun at each other and they hold each other accountable on the court.

One of the main sources of energy for the team is Junior libero Brady Breinholt. As a libero, it’s Brady’s job to communicate and be a defensive stopper. During the game Brady has to be all over the court to extend plays and create opportunities, but he doesn’t let that stop him from also being the team’s heart and hype man.

“I want everyone to play as hard as they can throughout the entire match. Once we beat a team in the first set we ease up and lose some energy. Big teams lose all the time because of low energy. Energy is a big thing,” said Brady.

Winning state championships is not a walk in the park, but the Perry Pumas have all the tools to do so. They may not be as well recognized as Perry’s uber successful basketball team, but they are certainly making noise in the volleyball world. If they win the state championship this year that would make three titles in five seasons and that might spark a debate about who the best team is at Perry.