![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)
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.
![On Monday, Dec. 16, the Rock Ridge Phoenix boys varsity basketball team faced the Unity Reed Lions in a close-knit battle, where the Phoenix prevailed 59-56.
The first quarter started slow, with both teams focusing on strong defense. Even with sophomore Filippo Gomes leading the first with two three-pointers, the Phoenix were still down three at the end of the quarter, leaving a 15-12 lead for the Lions.
The Phoenix amped up their offense considerably for the rest of the game. During the second quarter, the Phoenix scored 20 points, allowing them to grow the point gap between them and the Lions’ score, finishing the quarter 32-23 Phoenix. The third quarter was neck-and-neck as the Lions found footing again, but the Phoenix persisted and gained 14 points, ending the third quarter with a nerve-wracking 46-45 Phoenix lead. “I was a little nervous, I’m not gonna lie,” senior Akash Kulkarni said. “But just staying confident, making good passes, and listening to [Coach] Geyer [got us through].” Both teams fought tooth-and-nail for the fourth quarter, utilizing fouls, free throws, and timeouts to their advantage, but in the end, it was up to Phoenix defense to ensure their win. Ultimately, the Phoenix triumphed, with a winning score of 59-56.
After the game, the Phoenix basketball team awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) belt to the player who worked diligently behind the scenes senior William Beck. They awarded him MVP for his team leadership and playmaking throughout the game. “It feels good, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” Beck said.
✏️ and 📷 by Nidhi Manchala and Lucian Tiller](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)