Despite Best Efforts, Rams Take the Win Against Phoenix in Second Home Volleyball Game
On Sept. 12, the Rock Ridge girls volleyball team faced off against the Riverside Rams in their second home game of the season. Despite the strong effort by the Phoenix, the Rams came out on top 3-0.
The team huddles together before the second set starts, displaying their strong bond. “We hang out a lot during school,” senior Lola Aguilar said. “I’d recommend trying to get to know everyone.”
On Thursday, Sept. 12, the Phoenix varsity girls volleyball team lost against the Riverside Rams in the second home game of the season. Despite keeping the sets close, the Rams came out on top in three of the three sets played during the game, winning the match 0-3. “I think the Riverside game pushed us to work harder to create that team chemistry that we are developing over the course of the season,” senior Gabby Anderson said.
The first set was defined by back and forth scoring, with the score kept close for the first half. However, the Rams were able to gain enough momentum to outscore the Phoenix in the second half, ending the first set 17-25.
After some spirit-lifting chants from the junior varsity and freshman volleyball team from the sidelines, the second set began with the same energy, with seniors Lola Aguilar and Anderson making saves that left the crowd at the edge of their seats. Despite the Phoenix’s efforts, the Rams were able to secure the second set 12-25. The third and final set was a show of grit and perseverance from the Phoenix, where they kept the intensity up while keeping the score close, ending the final set 19-25. “I think I played smart when I got the ball, but ultimately, I could have done better had I had the opportunity to touch the ball more,” Aguilar said.
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The next Phoenix girls volleyball game is on Thursday, Sept. 26, against the Dominion Titans.
To start off their second home game, the team stands arm-in-arm for the national anthem. “Overall, just playing hard and enjoying the season together is our main goal,” senior Gabby Anderson said. (Bella Gerardi)As senior Lola Aguilar (12) goes up to spike the ball, her teammates watch the ball glide over the net. “We could have better communication on the court and more energy,” Aguilar said. (Bella Gerardi)The Phoenix comes together for high fives, cheering and congratulating each other as they gain a point. (Bella Gerardi)Senior Anna Koroma (8) jumps up to serve the ball to start off the second set. (Bhargav Kuniki)Senior Michelle Kim (3) congratulates senior Lola Aguilar (12) as they get into their lineup. (Bhargav Kuniki)Seniors Jessie Valdov (2) and Lauren Madison (6) analyze the Rams’ formation to make a plan of attack. (Bhargav Kuniki)The team celebrates after a spike from senior Rania Lahbibi (11), leading to a point for the Phoenix and closing the gap between them and the Rams. (Bhargav Kuniki)
Senior Bella Gerardi has been a member of the Blaze for four years and this year she has the role of the Photo Editor. Bella has had a history with writing since a young age. Her grandmothers were both authors, and it led her down the journalism path. While she started off writing opinion pieces her first few years, she slowly started to love taking pictures and realized she was very good at it. Over the last year she grew her position to the highest role in photo editing with all the pictures getting sent to her for approval. This year, she wants to hopefully find someone to pass her role as Photo Editor down to. When she’s not working at Kung Fu Tea, she loves to read, especially horror and romance, go to the gym and listen to music. After college she wishes to pursue a career in social work, particularly CPS. As for her love for journalism, she wants to pursue a career as a journalist on the side and hopefully build it up to a good job and decent pay. She hopes to combine her love for social work and journalism in the future.
Bhargav Kuniki is a senior, and he’s been a part of The Blaze for three years and is the current Sports Editor. Most of his time is spent on his physics research project, which he is planning to submit to GMU. Besides college goals, he is also focusing on activities like teaching himself piano. His favorite aspects of Newspaper are photography and writing reviews. He is looking forward to advancing in multimedia and improving his interviewing skills. He also hopes to continue photography beyond the newspaper. This year, he is excited to write articles for The Blaze and get into college.
![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)
