Domination was the word of the day for Pikes Peak Christian volleyball Thursday night as it took on 1A rival The Colorado Springs School in front of a home crowd.

The schools have a long history with the Kodiaks previously dominating the matchup. So Thursday’s contest, which was also the Eagles’ homecoming match, held extra significance. 

Despite being without its starting setter, Savannah Heath, to sickness, Pikes Peak Christian (16-2) overcame a sluggish start in the first set to dominate the rest of the match for a 3-0 win (25-21, 25-14, 25-14) over a talented Colorado Springs School squad (11-5). 

“Being able to come back from a deficit is always challenging, but them having the mental fortitude to do that was something they have been able to do well this season,” coach Shawna Heck said. “They found their momentum in the second set and were really able to take off from there.”

The first set was the closest of the night, with the Kodiaks dropping an eight-point lead to allow Pikes Peak Christian to tie the match at 20-20 before scoring five of the last points. 

Part of the Eagles’ slow start was adjusting to not having Heath, a senior, as their setter. Junior Lexi Stretch and freshman Eden Lopez took turns as setter and eventually found their groove. 

“Those two didn’t hesitate from having to pivot from their normal roles,” Heck said. “This season in particular has been very successful in team unity, and it’s fun to see them grow in that.”

“We have really good relationships with each other, Lopez added. “It was a tough first set, but we came back like always.”

The second set started much like the first, with five ties and two lead changes until the Eagles started to pull away with a 7-0 run. Pikes Peak Christian led by as many as 10 and ended with a 6-1 run to end with a comfortable 25-14 set win. 

Pikes Peak Christian led the entire third set, starting with a 4-0 run. The Eagles led by as many as 11 and a 10-1 run helped them take the match. 

With Thursday’s win, the Eagles have won the last three matchups between the schools and are on an eight-game winning streak. 

It’s been a special season for Pikes Peak Christian, which finished September with a 10-1 record and, outside of its 2-0 (25-22, 25-23) loss to Wray on Sept. 13, the Eagles dropped just two sets in their 10 wins.

Before Thursday’s match, Pikes Peak Christian was ranked 10^th in 1A’s RPI and is second in the 1A Black Forest League behind Evangel Christian Academy.

With a roster of 10 players, the Eagles’ team chemistry has been closer than ever this season, which the team hopes will carry them back to regionals for the first time since 2019. 

“It’s been a really good season, we worked really hard,” Stretch said. “With how close the team has gotten this year, it will help us get to regionals this year. We are connected on the court, and that’s how we work through things. If we are 10 down, we know when we can come back.”