Christian Gugliotta is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Sierra Linda for AZPreps365.com

The Sierra Linda Bulldogs suffered a 3-1 loss to the Alhambra Lions on Monday night on the road, extending their losing streak to six consecutive matches.

After dropping the first set 18-25 to the Lions (3-13, 3-6), the Bulldogs (2-14, 2-7) bounced back to win the second set 25-16. Alhambra won a hard-fought third set 25-16, shifting the momentum in its favor, before claiming the fourth set 25-17 to secure the match.

“Sometimes they get in their heads a little bit when they’re making mistakes, and then they struggle to get out of it,” Sierra Linda assistant coach Jocelyn Rivera said. “I think overall they played really well, and their energy was good. Sometimes those little, tiny mistakes really get in their head, and it’s hard to get out of it.”

After an even start with both teams trading points, Alhambra took control of the match with a five-point run. The Lions built a 16-9 lead before closing out the first set 25-18.

The Bulldogs seemed to be struggling, but a move by the coach breathed new life into the team. Captain Alisa Ruelas, who finished the match with four kills and three aces, took on the role of libero, shifting to a more defensive style of play, and the second set took a different turn.

The Bulldogs gradually took control as their improved defensive play allowed them to go on a seven-point run, establishing a 16-8 lead and eventually winning the second set 25-16.

“Our mentality was always to stay positive,” Alhambra coach Randy Amaral said. “We were always trying to push and fight back to keep our game going.”

The third set was the real battle that decided the match. The two teams traded points, tying the score at 14-14. The Bulldogs hit a slump, and a string of errors allowed the Lions to go on an 11-2 stretch and win the set 25-16.

“I think we got stuck on serves,” Ruelas said. “Everyone was on their feet and not moving. I think serves got us a lot. It was literally our errors. We can’t be making serves like that.”

It was a lack of communication that held the Bulldogs back, causing the players to often go after the same ball in pairs.

“I feel like some of us don’t trust in each other,” Ruelas said. “So they still go, and they’re running into each other. It’s a lack of trust right there.”

Rivera agreed with her captain, emphasizing how important it is for the players to communicate with one another.

“Communication is really important in the game,” Rivera said. “They have to be able to trust each other, and it’s hard for them to do that when they’re not communicating.”

In the fourth set, Sierra Linda tried to get back in the game, pulling ahead 12-8, but a seven-point streak by Alhambra shifted the momentum. The Bulldogs never recovered, and the Lions closed out the match with four consecutive aces by Vanessa Warford to seal a 25-17 set win. Warford finished the match with four kills and six aces.

“It was a big night for us,” Amaral said. “We finally were able to come together, to push and to cover. I really believe in our girls, and I’m proud of what we did.”

A key factor in Alhambra’s victory was the electric atmosphere created by a packed home crowd celebrating senior night.

“We had great support down here,” Amaral said. “Our fans are the best in the business. We feed off of that. The more we get, the louder they get, the more we feed, the more we keep going. I think that was our key.”

The Bulldogs will try to end their six-game losing streak in their final game of the season on Wednesday, on a night that will already be special for them.

“We’re really excited for our senior night,” Rivera said. “I just want them to put their whole heart into the court. It’s their last game at home, and I really want them to play their best. I’m really excited for the energy that everyone is going to bring that night.”

Coming off this important win, the Lions will also look to finish the season strong.

“I’m looking to put it all on the line,” Amaral said. “I want our girls to realize that it’s our last time together. Let’s go out, let’s get a dub, and let’s work hard all the time.”

Sierra Linda will host Lake Havasu (15-9, 9-0) for its final region game on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Alhambra will travel to Metro Tech (10-6, 7-2) to close out their season against the Knights on Wednesday at 6 p.m.