Michael Gray is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover NFL Yet College Prep Academy for AZPreps365.com

LAVEEN — NFL Yet girls volleyball showed grit in a match against Heritage Academy Laveen, but dropped the match 3-1, extending their losing streak against their rival.

The NFL Yet Eagles (0-7, 0-3 2A Valley Region) didn't make it easy for Heritage Academy Laveen Heroes (2-6, 1-1) after rallying several times throughout the match. 

The first set was controlled by Heritage, which led to them having a 21-17 lead. NFL Yet was able to mount a comeback after a heroic dig by setter Lauren Cannady in which she put her body on the line diving to floor to save a point for her team. 

The Heroes held strong, staving off the Eagles’ comeback attempt and winning the opening set 25-22. 

“They were definitely more consistent when it came to set receiving than what we were.” NFL Yet head coach Alan Rascon said. 

Rascon said NFL Yet’s grit willed them to a victory in the second set of the match. Cannady continued to make her presence known, contributing with blocks, nice serves, and well executed sets.

Cannady scored the final point of the set for her team with a nice kill after an exciting rally.

“We got more discipline and started realizing that we are better than how we were playing at first,” Cannady said.

Cannady received high praise from Heritage head coach Edward Anderson who said she was “everywhere” tonight. 

The Eagles were also helped in their second set victory by the efforts of Nathaly Gallegos who contributed with key kills. NFL Yets Ariana Ruiz’s nice passing and infectious energy also helped the Eagles capture a win in the second set.

NFL Yet shot out of the gates at the start of the third set, racing to a 5-0 lead thanks to sharp passing, strong serves, and relentless defense. 

“We came out a little slow," Anderson said in regards to the second set. “We let them have one, I was trying to do a lot of combinations with younger players and older players, see how it worked”.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Heroes rally back scoring five unanswered points to tie the set at 5. The Heroes ran away with the set, outscoring the Eagles 20-8 to finish the set with a 25-13 victory. 

“We were getting the passes and getting the passes to our setter,” Rascon said. “Our hitters weren't able to put it away.”

Set 4 was more of the same as the Eagles once again shot out of the gate building a 6-1 lead. That lead was quickly erased as the Heroes later tied it at 8-8.

NFL Yet kept up the intensity and continued to fight but it wasn't enough to outlast their rival as Heritage got out a 24-18 lead. 

Anderson said he wants his players to be of the mindset that they can come back from anything. 

A thunderous and well-placed kill from Heritage's outside hitter Natalie Janca was the final nail in the coffin for the Eagles and they lost the fourth set 25-18. 

Looking forward coach Rascon said he wants the team to improve their set receiving and work on their overall consistency.

NFL Yet (0-7, 0-3) will travel to play Tempe Prep Thursday, Oct. 9, at 4 p.m. 

Heritage Academy Laveen (2-6, 1-1) will travel to play at 4 p.m. Oct. 7 at Tempe Prep.