![Junior Diya Arun stares out a window. For Arun, the winter season brings out the holiday blues. “ I think [the winter] has a negative effect on my mental health because I feel like the cold weather and people around me are also sadder [and] that affects me,” Arun said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_8047-1200x800.jpg)
![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 Dominate the Patriots on Senior Night
On October 11, the Phoenix girls volleyball team held their Senior Night game against the Park View Patriots. The game ended with a Phoenix win of 3 sets to 0.
Senior Karis Adnan sets off the point by serving the ball to the opposing team. The Phoenix kept the game lighthearted as they continued to lead. “We have been on a really good winning streak, so that was really fun,” Adnan said.
On Tuesday, Oct. 11, the Phoenix girls volleyball team honored their seniors with a win against the visiting Park View Patriots at the last home contest of the regular season. Before the game, the team’s two seniors, Karis Adnan and Annika Engen, were acknowledged with their own ceremony.
As the oldest of the group, Adnan and Engen have led their teammates through this season as district champions. Their night of celebration had a melancholy tone as the seniors took to their home court one final time. “The weird part of senior night [itself] was realizing that I’m a senior and that this is my last high school year,” Adnan said. Their strength and leadership over the past year has proved beneficial for the Phoenix, as they currently enjoy a 16-3 overall record and the top spot in the Dulles District standings.
After teammates, loved ones, and the student body celebrated the two seniors, as they ended the night with a great win. “It was a lot of fun! A lot of my family and my best friend was there, which made it really special,” Engen said.
The game itself had a steady momentum as the Phoenix continued to have a commanding lead. The first set began with the usual starters setting the tone, not leaving room for the Patriots to score, as it ended 25-4.
As the team had solid ground, they began to experiment with their lineups. Their top priority of senior night was naturally to let Adnan and Engen shine, but this also opened up the opportunity for defensive specialists to play the striker position, and others to enjoy increased playing time. These changes did not affect the Phoenix’s flow, as they took the 2nd set 25-9, and the 3rd 25-10, ending the game with an intimidating score of 3-0.
The Phoenix preseason is ending and they are district champions. They will begin their postseason play on Oct. 24 at home.
Tanishka Enugu is a senior and this is her fourth year on The Blaze staff! A passionate writer who appreciates the community the newspaper brings, she loves being able to represent the student body through...
Shaila Patel is a senior in her second year on the newspaper staff, fueled by her strong sense of curiosity. Since a young age, Patel has been aiding people close to her. Whether it be through PEER or...
Nadia Shirr is a junior and this is her second year on The Blaze. She joined so she could have a more fun, and chill class. When there's a new event to cover, she likes to write about it so she can give...