The importance of height in volleyball is no secret. Senior Wyatt Veach stands at 6’9 and junior Garrett Wagner at 6’4. But height is not the only thing these two have going for them.

“The height is an attribute,” head coach Brian Pomerantz states. “It’s not what makes them successful.”

“I’ve always been taller than everyone around me,” Veach says. “My dad is 6’4, and my mom is 6’2.” Veach shares.

But height is not the only thing that runs in the Veach family. “My cousin talked me into trying out for my school’s team,” Veach recalls. “I haven’t stopped playing since.”

Veach is the tallest player on his team, but also has the highest hitting percentages sitting at .427%, or the percentage of spikes that result in a point.

For Veach, the highlight of playing volleyball is the competition. “Guys volleyball is relatively compact in Arizona, so everybody knows everybody. Playing against friends involves a healthy dose of friendly competition and I love it.”

Wagner – the younger of the twin towers – owns one of the highest kill percentages at 51.6%.

Wagner was not always a volleyball player. In fact, he explains that “it was my seventh grade year, and my dad [said] hey why don’t you try out for volleyball,” Wagner recalls. “Why not give it a shot? And ever since then I’ve been playing.”

Wagner believes team chemistry is one of the most important factors in being successful. “If you don’t have any chemistry as a team, then you’re not going to be a good team,” he said. “That’s why there’s six players on the court instead of just one.”

As the season winds down, the Pumas are starting to roll, having won eight matches in a roll. But this does not come as a surprise to Pomerantz.

“We knew we were a good team going into the season,” Pomerantz said.

Recently, the Pumas (21-4, 5-0), who are currently ranked fifth in power points, defeated No. 4 Mesa Mountain View, the team that kept them from advancing to the coveted state championship last year.

“I think [beating Mountain View] got us back on track,” Veach said. “I know that without a doubt we will make it well into the state tournament, but everyone’s ultimate goal for this season is a state title.”