![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)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
Phoenix Girls Soccer Kicks Off Their Season With a Win
Phoenix girls soccer had their first scrimmage of the season on March 8 against the Millbrook Pioneers, starting their season with a victory 1-0.
Senior Ayanna Fabunmi (6) attempts to steal the ball from a Pioneer after it was thrown back into the game. “The team is great,” Fabunmi said. “We’re all getting along really well, no one’s arguing.”
March 23, 2022
The Phoenix girls varsity soccer began their season with a scrimmage against the Millbrook Pioneers on Tuesday, March 8. The coach and the team were eager to play its debut match of the season. “It was a scrimmage, but we take it as a normal game,” coach Emily Bream said. “I’ve been excited about the girls. They play together as a team and they support each other.” The team has three captains this year, seniors Sofia DiFulvio (2), Ayanna Fabumni (6), and Aidie Bell (3), who kicked off the game by shaking hands with the Pioneers captains.
The first half of the game went by with neither team being able to score through each other’s tight defense. After half time, the game picked up the pace as the Phoenix scored the only goal of the game. The winning shot was made by DiFulvio, starting off the Phoenix record 1-0. Spectators on the bleachers along with players on the bench cheered for DiFulvio’s goal. “We were in their half most of the time,” Fabumni said. “We just couldn’t just get a shot off. [The goal] was well deserved.”
The team showed impressive teamwork and passing throughout the game with players like Bell and sophomore Kim Trieu keeping the ball moving. “[I did a good job of] getting to the ball quickly, getting rid of it quickly,” Trieu said.
The team has high hopes for the remainder of the season after their first victory. The team has switched to a different division which is smaller than the previous year to accommodate the team size. As the girls soccer only has a varsity team this season, the players look forward to bonding with each other. “We are now in person, we can interact with each other and bond, whereas that wasn’t possible with COVID last year,” DiFulvio said, “ It is easier to connect and feel a sense of togetherness that was difficult from last season.”
The next game of the season will take place on March 23 against the Vikings at Loudoun Valley.
![In a historic presidential election, voters nationwide turned out to make their voices heard. Virginia’s 10th congressional district had three key national positions up for election: president, senator, and representative.
In the race for the House of Representatives seat previously held by Democrat Jennifer Wexton, the Republican Party nominated Mike Clancy, while the Democratic Party put forward Suhas Subramanyam, a former Virginia General Assembly Senator. Subramanyam won the seat with a 52% majority.
For one of Virginia’s Senate positions, Democratic incumbent Tim Kaine and Republican challenger Hung Cao faced off. Kaine took the position with a 54% majority.
For the White House, current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump fought to obtain the 270 electoral votes needed to get the bid. News outlets worldwide tracked the results live, with close attention to seven key battleground states: Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina. Trump ultimately crossed the 270-vote threshold early on Nov. 6, with the swing states playing a pivotal role in his campaign’s success.
This election was the first presidential race for many Gen-Z voters, who entered a sharply polarized environment. Adela Booth, mother-in-law of Representative-Elect Subramanyam, traveled from Connecticut to support his campaign, encouraging young voters to engage in the political process. “Vote,” Booth said. “Get involved in politics. Even [if] you don’t think it applies to you, it applies to you. You will carry this debt. It will affect your grandchildren and you have to do something about it. You can’t sit back and watch anymore.”
✏️ and 📷 by Shivu Sathe](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)