Memphis Coles is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Tempe Preparatory Academy for AZPreps365.

No. 2 North Valley Christian Academy was caught by surprise as it entered a rowdy and excited environment.

Tempe Preparatory Academy’s Gym of Resurrection was alive with excitement, the school’s Senior Night and a top 2A Valley volleyball team had came to town on October 24.

After a first set defeat, the North Valley Christian Lions settled in and dominated the next three sets, winning 3-1. The Lions are still undefeated in conference play and have not lost in the month of October. 

But the team’s winning streak was put into question early in the game against the scrappy Knights. TPA jumped out to an 11-5 lead and didn’t look back, winning the first set 25-21. 

“It's hard playing Senior Night because there's so much pride from the other team,” Lions coach Cory Romine said.

Three seniors on TPA's volleyball team were celebrated: Libero Ava Butler, middle hitter Abigail Baker, and outside hitter Emily Youngs. 

Youngs helped the Knights earn quick points through aces. She tallied four aces and just one service error in the game.

“It's just that steadying force, and using the tools she picks up being a multi-sport athlete,” Knights coach John Bundy said of Youngs. “You can see the beach [volleyball] coming out in her when she's on the back row pulling off shots and becoming more of a diverse player.”

Youngs is not done playing sports for Tempe Prep. She plays basketball, beach volleyball and runs track. When asked about her favorite memories from her time playing volleyball with Tempe Prep, she talked about a time the team stayed through a power outage during one of Arizona’s giant dust storms.

“We were here during a haboob, and the power went out, and we still stayed and made our pyramid for what we wanted our team to represent, and stayed in the dark,” Youngs said.

She mentioned how it was a great team bonding experience early in the season.

In the second set, North Valley Christian turned things around. Junior setter Brooke Lovas and senior outside hitter Madison Sherby started finding a lethal connection that they would use the rest of the game. 

Lovas finished the game with 18 assists. Sherby earned 14 kills.

The Lions won the relatively close second set 25-17.

North Valley Christian used momentum from the second set and dominated the next two. They successfully took the crowd out of the game. There was noticeably less energy from the students as Tempe Prep fell behind in both the third and fourth sets 15-4 early. 

If it wasn’t the pair of Lovas and Sherby scoring points for the Lions, it was sophomore setter Brooklyn Hall who scored nine assists and junior outside hitter Charis Robinson with 10 kills getting it done.

After struggling early, junior libero Mackenzie Benso scored a game high six aces, including the match point.

North Valley Christian has yet to play in a fifth set this year.

The Lions have two more region games to end the season. They look to keep their undefeated conference record intact heading into the playoffs.

As Tempe Prep says goodbye to their three seniors this year, they can further lean on a pair of star freshmen. Setter Ella Buettner earned six assists and six kills. Natasha Gladden also gave the Knights key points throughout the game with four aces and three kills.

Tempe Prep is currently No. 15 in 2A Valley rankings. To finish the season strong, Youngs referred to the Knights’ team motto, “Happy, Scrappy, Together.”

“I think just going out and giving it our all and just having fun is what's going to be key for us.” Youngs said.