![The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.jpg)
![Junior Alex Alkhal pitches the ball. “[I] just let it go and keep practicing so we can focus on our goal for the next game to get better as a team,” Alkhal said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DSC_0013-1-1200x929.jpg)
On Thursday, Oct. 9, the Phoenix girls volleyball clashed against John Champe for their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Out game, losing 1-3.
The Knights started the game with a long streak of points, garnering a substantial lead, until a series of aces from senior Kaitlyn Harley and sophomore Zunairah Hasan fueled the Phoenix into a run during the first set. “I think the increased momentum of the game really encouraged the team to ride out that energy through each point,” sophomore Sudhiksha Gudimettla said. Champe dominated the first set with multiple long rallies, shifting momentum from one team to the next. The Knights proceeded to make a five-point push to conclude the set, ending in 21-25.
The Knights began the second set leading like the first, but this time a kill from junior middle blocker Katelyn Weicker turned the tables. A combination of aces from Harley, rallies ending conclusively, and energy from Phoenix fans gave the players all they needed to make a run. “Those big moments not only get the team and I more hyped up, but through those moments you could see how there was a hint of determination in everyone’s eyes when they saw in real time that there’s always a chance to keep pushing to success,” Harley said.
Going into the third set, Hasan carried the momentum with an ace, leading to a positive start, but the Knights rallied together to suppress the Phoenix flame late into the set. Although it led to an eight-point lead for the Knights, 8-16, this did not stop the Phoenix. They went on a tear, highlighted by a rally-ending kill by Weicker, closing the gap to just four points for the Phoenix, 20-24. The set ended in a drawn-out rally concluding with a kill from the Knights, ending in 20-25.
The Phoenix continued their fight against the Knights in the fourth set. The Knights didn’t stop theirs either, even though the Phoenix were relentlessly on the attack. The Knights pushed back until they reached a 16-point lead against the Phoenix. In the end, as the last kill landed on the court, the Phoenix flame was extinguished by the Knights with the final score being 9-25.
Even through the loss, the team was feeling optimistic about their performance. “I think overall the team was very proud coming out of that game,” Harley said. “We made some great plays and saw a lot of hustle laid out on the court. I think every player had something to be proud of out there.”
The Phoenix will be going against the Vikings on Thursday, Oct. 16.
