Andrew Montana is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication student assigned to cover Apollo High School for AZPreps365.com.

GLENDALE -- Although the Apollo Hawks volleyball team has won more games this season, the Valley Vista Monsoon claimed victory in three sets Thursday night with scores of 25-14, 25-8 and 25-22. 

The first set proved to be a challenge for Apollo as it gave up a 5-0 run early on, followed by a 13-2 run to put the first frame in arm’s reach for Valley Vista. 

“I don’t think our effort was good at all,” Hawks coach Chris Biesbrouck said. “We looked tired out there and we looked across the net and felt like we were outmatched.”

Looking back at the Hawks were three six-foot opponents, including sophomore right-side hitter Nyaja Johnson, who recorded three of the Monsoon’s seven first-set aces.

While set one was trouble for Apollo, set two proved to be even worse. Valley Vista opened its scoring with an 11-1 run and ended with five consecutive points to ice out the set. Senior outside hitter Ava Hewitt led the Monsoon this set with five kills and one ace.

“I have to give thanks to my setters and my passers,” Hewitt said. “They did a great job giving me the ball in the best spot where I need it and where I can just put the ball down.” 

Conversely, Apollo struggled throughout the set, scoring only eight points. The Hawks only put together one run of multiple points, which capped off at three.

“There are times where we play really well,” Biesbrouck said. “And then there are times where we play so badly it looks like we haven’t played before. That’s to be expected with a young team. You have to learn how to win, and we are in that process right now.”

Even though the Monsoon went on to win the third set and conclude the sweep, the Hawks refused to go down without a fight. Apollo’s perseverance was best captured by sophomore libero Tia Curtis.

“Tia was phenomenal,” Biesbrouck said. “For a sophomore to play at that level on a varsity team, I can’t say enough good things about her.”

Despite her defensive dominance, Curtis ironically had an error that captured the attention of all those in attendance. During the second set, junior outside hitter Kylee DeJesus served a ball towards Curtis which ricocheted off the sophomore’s forearms and swished into the basketball hoop behind her, yielding a collective roar in the gymnasium.

DeJesus had herself a dominant performance, too, tallying one block, five aces and nine kills, of which four were no-lookers on second touches.

“I’ve been playing for a really long time,” DeJesus said. “It has taken me a lot of time and a lot of dedication to the sport to be able to play that way.”

As Valley Vista earned its third win in the last four matches, Monsoon coach Mersadez Bowen praised her squad for its recent success and hope for the future.

“We’re a great team and a young team,” Bowen said. “We have so much potential and going into regional play, it feels good.”

Apollo, on the other hand, suffered its fifth loss in its last six matches and third consecutive sweep.

“We have to learn how to close out games,” Biesbrouck said. “We need to experience this to be able to get to where we want to go. Our focus for the rest of the season is effort and communication because those are the things we can control and we need to get better in that arena.”

Apollo (4-7) will host Tolleson Union (3-8) on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.

Valley Vista (3-7) will host Shadow Ridge (10-2) on Monday at 6 p.m.