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High school volleyball gets overshadowed by other high school sports and many top tier athletes are overlooked and don't receive the respect and spotlight they deserve. I spent an entire semester trying to shine light on high school volleyball, specifically the Mesa, Jackrabbits. I followed the Mesa high school girls volleyball team throughout their 2023 season and wrote several types of stories highlighting Mesa's performance and their impact on the community. Below are a few of those stories I wrote, centered around the Jackrabbits.
Mesa loses to Xavier College Prep in three sets
Jackrabbits struggle in sweep on their home court
Despite a strong effort from the Jackrabbits, Xavier College Prep extends their winning streak to three games after defeating Mesa High School Wednesday night.
Xavier College prep went on the road and won in three sets, 25-5, 25-12, 25-12. The Gators advance to (21-4, 2-1) and maintain third place in the 6A Premier region
Mesa lost for the first time in three games, falling to (13-11, 5-2) now sitting in third place in the 6A West Valley region.
After twenty-four games into the season, Xavier College Prep became the first team to defeat Mesa in three sets. Mesa’s assistant coach McKay Johnson believes this was a fluke in the Jackrabbits season and they have a better team than this game shows.
“I know these girls have it in them, so I think we didn’t perform by the standard that we coaches think they have for themselves, and I think we definitely underperformed with what we usually put out as a team day-in and day-out,” Johnson said.
Xavier College Prep scored the first six points in the first set and never looked back, eventually taking a 1-10 lead before cruising to a 5-25 set one win.
The Gators didn’t make it much easier on the Jackrabbits in set two taking a 6-13 lead early in the set. Xavier College Prep’s teamwork and experience showed, as long rallies turned into point after point for the Gators. Mesa was unable to stop the bleeding in the second set, losing 12-25.
Uncharacteristic mistakes and errors held the Jackrabbits back from any comeback opportunity in the second set.
“I think we struggled with our serve-receive, we kind of struggled just to communicate with each other, but I think when we were able to get a good pass, we were able to get the ball way in front and find the spots that were open,” middle blocker Makena Rumple said.
A 4-4 start in the third set was quickly erased when the Gators scored seven straight points and took a 4-11 lead. Mesa made a small push through a kill by Rumple who followed that point with an ace.
This was not enough, and after Mesa closed the gap in the set to 7-13, the Gators made one more push and scored six straight points and closed out the Jackrabbits on their home court.
The Gators were able to come into Mesa High School and dominate the Jackrabbits on their home court.
Jonnie Cummard is not fazed by the team's underperformance against the Gators and looks forward to the next time they step back on the court in their matchup against Mountain View on Oct. 17.
“We are going to be working harder in practice and we know we can come out stronger the next time,” Cummard said.
Mesa has five regular season games left, four of which are against regional opponents. Tough matchups await the Jackrabbits as the race for first in the West Valley Region tightens up in the final weeks of the season.
Mesa sweeps Westwood at home in three sets
Jonnie Cummard shines against East Valley Region rival
A strong effort by the Mesa Girls Volleyball Team helps them defeat Westwood for the second time this season.
The Jackrabbits held their own on their home court, defeating the Warriors in three sets, 29-27, 25-19, 25-19. Mesa advances to (15-12, 6-3) and maintain second place in the 6A East Valley Region.
Westwood loses for the third time in as many games as their road dominance this season was stopped by the Jackrabbits. The Warriors fall to (14-13, 4-4) but are able to maintain third place in the 6A East Valley Region.
Through twenty-seven games this season, the Warriors have only lost two games in three sets. Both losses coming against the Jackrabbits.
The Jackrabbits looked dominant throughout the match as the team was driven by captain Jonnie Cummard.
“When Jonnie Cummard is on we are a team that can’t be stopped,” assistant coach McKay Johnson said. “Nights like tonight's performance are definitely going to carry us to do well into states this year.”
The first set was back and forth all the way through. Westwood was able to grab an early 9-4 lead, but Mesa was able to fight back and regain a 19-17 lead. The thrilling set was finished off by Jonnie Cummard’s sixth kill of the set and helped the Jackrabbits take set one 29-27.
The second set was just as exciting as the first. Mesa was able to jump out to a 5-2 lead and continued that momentum throughout the set.
After back to back kills by Cummard, the Jackrabbits extended their lead to 14-9. Mesa continued their strong performance in the second set and after Sally Cummard scored an ace, the Jackrabbits saw their lead grow to 22-17.
Jonnie Cummard’s great performance continued as she recorded another four kills in the second set and the Jackrabbits were able to take set two 25-19.
“We have been executing well in practice to go after every ball,” Jonnie Cummard said. “We hope to continue this momentum in practice to carry over to our next game.”
Throughout the third set the crowd became a factor and rattled the Warriors. The Jackrabbits took a 5-1 lead in the third set after Jonnie Cummard was able to score back-to-back aces.
The Warriors went on a little run themselves and were able to take a 11-10 lead, but it didn’t last for long. Three straight aces helped the Jackrabbits dismantle the Warriors as their five point run was finished off by two straight kills by Jonnie Cummard.
Sally Cummard was able to extend the Jackrabbits lead to 20-12 after back-to-back aces. The Jackrabbits went on to win the third set 25-19.
Mesa was able to snap a two-game losing streak and looked dominant in their performance. Their next matchup is against Skyline, another home game for the Jackrabbits.
With only three games left on the regular season schedule, Mesa hopes to keep the momentum going and secure another win at home.
“We need to keep communicating with everyone and continue to stay loud,” Pulehehua Laikona said. “No matter what it is, cheering after any point or anything, we need to continue this momentum.”
Mesa's continued effort to give back to the community
Venese Hiapo leads the effort for Mesa to support their region
Zedo Ishikawa’s memory will forever “carry on” throughout Mesa High School as his legacy continues to inspire students every year.
Ishikawa, a former Mesa Jackrabbit, passed away on Sept. 22, 1932. Right before his passing, Ishikawa told his family to tell the coach to play the game tomorrow, “tell them boys to carry on.”
“Carry on” inspires Jackrabbits today and is what Mesa stands for. Making the community a better place embodies what Mesa High School is all about.
“We want to be that school that is an example of giving back to the community,” assistant coach McKay Johnson said. “We want to show others that we care just as much about what is happening in our school, but also what is happening outside of school.”
Every year, coordinated through their traditions assembly, all athletic teams and clubs at Mesa High School participate in cemetery cleanup. Following the cleanup, a meetup occurs at Zedo Ishikawa’s grave, where Ishikawa’s twin nephews speak about Ishikawa’s lasting memory and his last words “carry on.”
Giving back to the community is an option, however, Mesa treats it as a necessity. Alongside cemetery cleanup, the Mesa Volleyball program participates in several other programs to help give back to the community.
“We are big on making sure the community knows Mesa is a school that cares and that we want to make others feel like others matter to us because they do,” Johnson said.
From January through March, Mesa’s volleyball assistant coaches will help coach volleyball at Taylor Junior High School to help develop athletes skills and performance on the court.
Allowing younger athletes to train with experienced coaches will help elevate the students' understanding of the game and put them ahead of their competition.
The girl’s varsity team will also assist two to three times a week to assist with skill and gameplay training.
Helping the youth with development in the community is a priority to the Jackrabbits, who also assist elementary schools in the area with their carnivals and other small events they hold.
At least once every year, Mesa will help a surrounding elementary school with an event to bring joy to the children and assist faculty members to relieve stress off their hands during these events.
Sports play an important part in society. Many children and community members look up to athletes, including high school athletes.
Mesa’s commitment to helping the community impacts so many lives. as the Jackrabbits help to teach developmental and life skills to the younger generations and assist their community through cleanups and event participation.
Their assistance in the community not only helps others but also helps to grow their student athletes into wonderful citizens of their community.
Mesa’s Volleyball coach Venese Hiapo understands the impact her athletes have on and off the court and hopes to instill core values to these students that they can use throughout their lives.
“Mesa High School Volleyball displays accountability, safety, ethics, and maturity on and off the court,” Coach Hiapo said. “These traits are taught and ingrained within each student athlete.”
Iowa commit Makena Rumple's path to success
Star middle blocker chooses Iowa over other schools
Only 1.2% of high school volleyball players get the opportunity to play D1 volleyball in college. Makena Rumple, junior at Mesa High School, looks forward to this rare opportunity to play at The University of Iowa.
Rumple’s volleyball career started at the age of 11 and she has been playing for five years now. As a freshman Rumple was able to land a spot on the Varsity team at Mesa and has thrived in this position for the last three years.
Recently, Rumple committed to play at The University of Iowa after she graduates from Mesa High school in 2025.
Alongside playing volleyball at Mesa High School, Rumple has also played for Storm Elite VBC for the last three years.
“My club and high school experiences have been different but in the best way. I have always known I was going to be a Mesa Jackrabbit because I love it here,” Rumple said. “Club season can get stressful at times but I really enjoy the school season because it is a chance for me to give back to the community that built me up. I love my club but playing for Mesa High has a deeper meaning to me.”
Rumple has always focused upon playing volleyball at the next level, but makes sure she remembers the importance of education through her journey.
Rumple is a well-rounded student-athlete, being an honor student and sitting in the top 20 for GPA in her graduating class.
With offers from other schools, Rumple had a huge decision to make about her future in volleyball, however, she always knew her path continued at Iowa.
“Both of my parents are school teachers, and have instilled in me the importance of an education. I had always had my eye on Iowa because of their dental school and because I have lots of family in the area,” Rumple said. Although I did have offers from other programs, nothing felt like home as much as Iowa!”
Both of Rumple’s parents were born and raised in Iowa and it was like a second home to her growing up.
Attending a top team in the Big Ten Conference gives Rumple the opportunity to play against some of the best competition in the nation and continue to grow on the court.
Head coach of the Mesa Jackrabbits, Venese Hiapo, has had believe in Rumple playing at the next level since she was a freshman.
“Makena was quick and strong as a freshman. She had no fear of older players and was always searching and studying ways to improve,” Head Coach Hiapo said. “She is a student of the game and her maturity fit in well with the upperclassmen. It has been a pleasure to coach her over the years.”
Rumple’s development from her freshman year has not only come from the court, but also off the court too. Through her time at Mesa High School she joined the link crew, became a member of the National Honor Society, and is a student body rep.
Hiapo will be sad to see Rumple leave Mesa, but understands she has a bright road ahead of her.
“Everyone loves Makena because Makena loved them first. She plays by example and is an extremely hard worker,” Hiapo said. “Iowa is lucky to have her. She will make a huge impact in her first year in college.”
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