Garrett Voge, spiking past Sahuaro's Bryan Lewis in last year's 4A Kino Region title game, and his Foothills team are after a three-peat.

A.E. Araiza / arizona daily star 2007

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The sidelines at Catalina Foothills boys volleyball games will look a little different this year.

Two weeks before the start of the season, the two-time-defending state champion Falcons lost an important part of their tradition when 2007 Southern Arizona Coach of the Year Andrea Fyock stepped down for personal reasons.

"We miss her. We wish she was here but we have to move on and focus on winning," said junior outside hitter Garrett Voge. "We're taking what she taught us and building something stronger than before."

With four starters returning and David Thistle — the UA men's club team and Sahuaro girls volleyball coach — now in charge, the Falcons are in the position to make history. No team has ever won three state championships in a row.

Foothills starts the season tonight with a match at familiar foe Anthem Boulder Creek. Last season, Foothills trounced the Jaguars 25-17, 25-19, 25-17 to win the Class 4A/5A Division II state title.

"We'll find out (today) if we have what it takes to win again," Voge said. "Even if we lose, it will show us our kinks and what we need to work out. We're not expecting to lose, though."

Voge added, "It's definitely possible that we will win state if everyone steps up."

Here are four things that could help Foothills make history:

1. Responsibility: With the coaching change and graduation of two all-star players — including 2007 Southern Arizona Player of the Year Kalen Johnson — the holdovers from last year are taking charge to keep the tradition going.

"Whenever something changes, the returning players take charge," Voge said.

In addition to Voge, fellow all-stars James Kinion, Sam Magill and Chris Foo are back in the fold this season.

2. Intensity: The Falcons are focused on having high-energy performances, something aided by Thistle's presence.

"Thistle is our biggest fan and our biggest critic," Voge said. "He gets us riled up and ready to play. But if we don't go for a ball or something, he's ready to point out what we need to fix for the next time."

3. Connection: Foothills players consider each other more than just teammates.

"We work together really well as a team since we're all really good friends off the court. Our team meshes well," Voge said. "And high school volleyball doesn't really matter that much when you think about it. It's all about having fun out there."

4. Pedigree: The Falcons are 75-8 the past two seasons, including an 11-0 record in regional and state tournament matches. They haven't lost to a team from Arizona since April 18, 2006.

If any team has the résumé to three-peat, it is Foothills.

"We've been there so we know what we need to do," Voge said.