Hunter Garcia is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Cortez High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX  – Fashioned with pink leg bands in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and still riding the momentum from Monday’s win, the Cortez Colts entered their home matchup against rival Tempe full of confidence on Wednesday. Despite a strong start, the Colts were unable to stay consistent with their strategy, resulting in a 3-1 loss 

Each set was highly competitive, 25-21, 27-25,25-15, and 25-21.

“We planned on attacking the lines and finding the gaps,” Cortez coach Alberto Ramos said. “We have to stay consistent to our plan against a strong team like Tempe in order to win.” 

The Colts started strong, leading the first set 8-4, but the Buffaloes rallied and won the set, 25-21, by finding the gaps in their opponent’s defense. 

The Buffaloes rode their momentum into the second set with a 10-2 lead. However, Cortez responded by seizing control over the ball and exploited errors, edging out a 27-25 win.

“I told them, how bad do you want it and do you want it more than them?” Tempe coach Morgan Shells said. “If you do, then show me right here on this court.”

After hearing their coach’s inspiring words, the Buffaloes entered the third set with a renewed sense of determination and urgency. Almost immediately they came out strong, jumping ahead on a 7-1 run that put Cortez into a corner. That start carried them through the rest of the set, and the Buffaloes closed on a set-winning kill from senior outside hitter Brigitte Masoka,  25-15. 

“It’s just doing it again, again, and again.” Masoka said. “Consistency is key, especially in a sport like volleyball, and when you find something that is working, you do your best to keep doing it in order to win.” 

Going into the fourth set, energy was high in the Cortez gymnasium. Both teams fed off of each other’s competitiveness but it was the Buffaloes that stayed consistent with their attacks, putting them in a 20-10 lead. 

“We are a team that bounces off of each other’s energy and if one is down then we are all down, and vice versa,” Masoka said. 

Down but not out, the Colts made a small comeback after two consistent aces by sophomore outside hitter Averi Reason, making the score 24-14. 

The tailwind was short-lived, however, as the Buffaloes closed the set 25-15.

“The passing was killing us,” Ramos said. “We had a really strong start and stuck to our plan but it was small mistakes that eventually led to miscommunication and our consistency to fall apart.

Even though the Colts lost, it was a game of small mistakes and consistency that resulted in the Buffaloes’ win. 

“I thought that we fought really hard, and I am very proud of myself and my team for not giving up,” Cortez senior Mikaela Blanchette said. “I think our main issue was staying consistent with our passes and being more efficient in communicating when covering the ball.”

The Colts will try to bounce back Friday at 6 p.m. when they host Yuma.