![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 Volleyball Soars Past the Spartans
On Sept. 28, the Phoenix girls volleyball team had a home game against the Broad Run Spartans. The game ended with a Phoenix victory of 3 sets to 1.
Junior Michelle Kim (7) jumps up to block an incoming spike from a Spartan player.
October 15, 2022
On Wednesday Sept. 28, the Phoenix girls volleyball team clashed against the Broad Run Spartans at home. Looking for a rebound from a loss the night before at Riverside, the Phoenix girls were ready to give it their all. The student section, however, fresh off a home win from a week back, was buzzing with excitement. The team delivered, beating the Spartans with a final score of 3-1.
The game started off great for the Phoenix. The girls showcased their teamwork and training by winning the first set with a score of 25-20, an effort led by senior Annika Engen.
Since junior starter Grace Tucker was absent due to illness, the Phoenix had to improvise their offensive and defensive strategies in order to be effective as a team. “Everybody really pulled it together and communicated well, and filled the gap,” senior Engen said.
The crowd continued to cheer for the Phoenix girls as the second set commenced. The lead continuously switched between both teams, leaving the student section on their toes. With the score tied 25-25, both teams needed to win two consecutive points to claim the set. The Spartans were able to clinch the set with a score of 27-25.
“We could have done way better with serving [in the second set], as we lost 8 serves, and that kinda cost us a whole set,” junior Sidney Powell said. “Once we realized we actually had to start playing to the [best] of our abilities, then we started playing well, and we realized we could beat them by a lot.”
After a close third set (25-19), Phoenix fans could finally exhale, after realizing that all the girls needed to do was keep their mental game up. The team took a more comfortable set lead of 2-1.
Entering the fourth set with the same momentum and solidifying their defense and teamwork, the Phoenix were able to finish the fourth and final set with a score of 25-17, causing the student section to erupt in cheers.
![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)