![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)
Seniors Appreciate Last Moments at Their Final Home Game
On Nov. 4, Phoenix members of the marching band, cheer, and varsity football programs were celebrated at their last home football game of the season. The Phoenix narrowly lost to the Lightridge Bolts with a score of 35-34.
Senior Ethan Strine gets in position for the next play. “Even our juniors, sophomores, our younger guys, it really felt like all of our last games, even though they have next year and the year after,” Strine said. “It was just a team that we were all a part of. This whole season was very memorable for all of us.”
December 15, 2022
On Nov. 4, the Phoenix Varsity football team played their last regular season home game against the Lightridge Bolts. Prior to the game, seniors in cheer, marching band, and football were honored for their hard work and commitment to their programs.
Within 15 seconds of the first quarter, the Bolts scored a touchdown and earned an extra kick. This created pressure on the Phoenix, and senior Malachi Tomlin-Younger responded by bringing the Phoenix up 7-6, just behind the Bolts. The Bolts managed to score another touchdown and extra kick, while senior Abhi Konduri completed a pass. The first quarter ended 14-13, with the Bolts in the lead.
A touchdown to start the second quarter put the Phoenix in the lead, 19-14. Halfway into the quarter, the Bolts managed to score another touchdown and extra point, making the score 21-19, Bolts in the lead.
Halftime gave the Phoenix time to rest and plan out for the third and fourth quarter. As the third quarter started, within the first 20 seconds, Tomlin-Younger scored a touchdown along with receiving an extra kick. However, the ball was caught by the time it went through the field post. The score was 27-21, Phoenix in the lead. Near the end of the quarter, senior Nathaniel Bodman scored another touchdown, bringing the score to 34-21. “It really meant a lot,” Bodman said. “We were ten yards from the goal line, [and were] able to score on that last touchdown. [It] was nice.”
In the last two minutes of the fourth quarter, the Bolts scored a touchdown, bringing the score to 35-34 and winning the game after a hard-fought contest.. Despite the loss, Athletic Director Pat McNanley complimented the team on their efforts in the game and throughout the season. “I’m just proud of all the young men that came out and fought hard for 10 games, stayed positive, and supported each other,” McNanley said. “I couldn’t be more proud to be at Rock Ridge with these kids.”
![On Nov. 22, students and staff competed against each other during the ninth annual Student vs. Staff Volleyball Game. The game ended with a 36-30 victory for the students, marking their third consecutive win and bringing the overall series to 6-3 in favor of the students.
The game was competitive, drawing significant anticipation as the teachers sought to even the score after last year’s loss. “We kind of know the strengths of people,” social sciences teacher Steven Mobley said. “There's a lot of staff emails actually going on about it, like who wants to play where and who wants to play when. So we're communicating a lot more this year than previous years.”
While members of the staff team focused on playing strategy and communicating with each other, the students walked into the game with specific goals they wanted to achieve. “I’m not violent, [but] I want to try to get Mr. Clear, and if not him, I want to get Ms. Leach,” senior Rishit Choudhari said. “I want to see Mr. Clear upset and frowning.”
The game began with the students and staff tying with a score of 10-10 in the first set. However, the students edged ahead during the second set, having a strong lead of 25-19. The final set saw both teams exchanging points in a close contest, but the students pulled away in the final minutes to secure the 36-30 win.
Senior Mihir Peta was crowned MVP for the second time, his first after the 2022 Students vs. Staff Volleyball Game for his dedication to ensuring the student team won. “I don't want to sound cocky, but it was expected, to be honest,” Peta said. “I won it sophomore year, I should have won it junior year, but I couldn't play. So I came back for redemption senior year.”
✏️ and 📷 by Ananya Karthik, Sophie King, and Shivu Sathe](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)