![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 Sweep the Vikings as Volleyball Wins First Home Game of the Season
On August 25, the Phoenix girls volleyball team had their first regular season home game against the Loudoun Valley Vikings. The game ended with a Phoenix victory of 3 sets to 0.
Junior outside hitter Sidney Powell jumps as she serves the ball over the net to the opposing side.
September 1, 2022
On Thursday, Aug. 25, the Phoenix girls volleyball team played against the Loudoun Valley Vikings at home for the first time this season. The girls started the school year off right with a hard fought win of 3-0.
The game started off smoothly for the Phoenix; however, at the start of the third set, due to a Viking player being under the net, outside hitter Grace Tucker took a trip to her knee. Her teammates and coaches didn’t falter, rushing to help her and also asking for the validity of the call, or lack thereof. “It was hard to hear, because I didn’t know how long I’d be out for,” Grace Tucker said. “But it was just a minor injury, so I was okay.”
In the first set of the match, the lead continuously switched between both teams, leaving the student sections tensions high. The Phoenix eventually came out on top with a score of 25-22. They kept their momentum going as they took the 2nd set with a score of 25-21. After solidifying their defensive counters and offensive attacks, the Phoenix finished the match strong and won the 3rd set 25-16.
![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)