![With the energy and effort the Bolts were bringing to the game, the Phoenix had to step up and match them to make it through their first game of the season. Many of the girls on the team, including freshman Nazly Rostom, have been playing soccer since their childhood and have grown a love for the sport as a result. “It was fun to see how we actually played in a [real] game,” Rostom said. “Even though the outcome was not what we were hoping for, I’m still happy we got to play together.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0154-1200x800.jpg)
![Held up by a group of cheerleaders, flyer sophomore Leyu Yonas poses as part of a stunt, also supported by flyer junior Shayne Mitchell behind her. (Left) Prior to the pink out football game on Oct. 13, the athletes practiced in the aux gym from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Right) On Oct. 19, the cheerleaders competed in their District Championships at Woodgrove High School. “We definitely put all our effort on the mat [at Districts], and it showed,” Mitchell said. Left: Photo by Nadia Shirr. Right: Photo by Steve Prakope via Victor O’Neill Studios.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/feature-image-1200x823.png)
![Sophomore Xavier Smith (6), the Phoenix quarterback, runs the ball as his teammates help hold up the defense. “My [offensive] line collapses, so I just [have to run], and its a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5383-1200x897.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)
On Sept. 11, the Phoenix varsity volleyball team went head to head against the Briar Woods Falcons, with the game ending in a loss for the Phoenix. The Phoenix showed out with tons of energy and spirit, using this game as a learning experience to tweak their strategies and improve for future games. “[The team] is getting better after every match, and I think that we’ve been doing pretty well,” varsity head coach Buzz Laird said.
The first set started off strong, with both teams scoring consistently. Both sides rallied the ball throughout the set, determined to get an edge early on in the game. During one of the more intense moments of the set, senior McKenna Sutherland closed out the rally with a powerful spike as she put the Phoenix in the lead. Following Sutherland’s spike, junior Rania Lahbibi also spiked the ball and earned numerous cheers from the crowd. Despite frequently scoring throughout the progression of the set, the Phoenix lost their lead towards the end, resulting in the Falcons claiming the set 25-18.
The Phoenix quickly fell behind in the second set, putting the Falcons in the lead with a final set score of 25-16.
As the third set began, the Phoenix turned the course of the game around, maintaining a decent lead for the majority of the set. However, the score started to tie towards the end, as both teams desperately tried to get ahead of each other. After a couple of intense rallies, the Falcons quickly scored a few consecutive points and won the set by four points to close out the game.
The Phoenix communicated well throughout the game and lifted each other up when mistakes were made. However, they still agree that their communication should be tightened up more. “[We can] definitely improve on communication and staying consistent,” junior Lola Aguilar said. “For the loss that we had, I feel like we kept ourselves together pretty well.”
