Anna Pratts is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Bourgade Catholic for AZPreps365.com

The Bourgade Catholic Golden Eagles fell to the North Valley Christian Lions in a three-set sweep Monday night, losing their eighth game of the season on 15-25, 14-25 and 5-25 final set scores. 

Bourgade coach Jesse Santos blamed the team’s limited roster as one of the main reasons for the low-scoring third set. Motivated by the number constraint, Santos started Charlynn Fisher — the only freshman on the varsity team — as a setter instead of a libero.

“I have a small roster for this game so they were kind of tired (in the third set), but they fought through,” Santos said.

The Golden Eagles started the first set with intense effort at the net, coming back from a three-point deficit to hold the Lions scoreless for five plays, flipping the score to 7-5 after an ace from senior defensive specialist Rachel Quinayas. 

The Lions responded quickly, going on a nine-point run to take back the lead and never looked back. Senior outside hitter Annaleise Smith contributed with three consecutive points, including two kills and one block. Junior middle blocker Braelynn Johnson cemented the Lions’ first set 25-15 victory with three kills and one block. 

Coming back for the second set, the teams rallied through single-digit scoring with the Lions’ lead being as tight as 9-8. Senior outside hitter and defensive specialist Hassani Ceballos had back-to-back kills for the Golden Eagles, while Johnson added a block and a kill for the Lions. 

With a kill from Smith, the Lions started a five-point run, interrupted by another kill from Ceballos and a long rally settled by junior opposite hitter Lilliana Martinez. The Lions ultimately secured the 25-14 set with a kill by senior opposite hitter Charis Robinson.

“We were just trying to have a lot of fun,” Lions coach Cory Romine said. “In one of the timeouts I said ‘let’s just stay super connected.’ I don’t really care about the scores if we’re playing well. We’re having fun and we’re executing.”

Lions seniors Brooke Lovas and Mackenzie Benso expressed that having fun on the court — while also “asserting dominance,” as Lovas said — was one of the main goals for the night, as they are nearing the end of their volleyball careers. 

The Lions completed their sweep by barely allowing any points from the Golden Eagles in the third set, going on a 14-point run when the score was 11-4. Bourgade Catholic’s five points came from two kills by Ashley Rojo, one by Ceballos and a tip by Fisher. Johnson scored the game-winning point with an intense kill on the left side of the court. 

Despite the point deficit in each set, the Golden Eagles never stopped supporting and encouraging each other after each play. They credit that tight-knit environment to the culture that Santos has developed over his six years at Bourgade Catholic.

“We don’t win a lot of the games, but I know that every girl here can say that they have fun every single game because our coach has built this team with us,” Ceballos said.

Part of the culture stems from the school’s Catholic roots and their “God-centered” approach, Fisher said. She also said that praying together before each game brings the teams closer together and helps them support each other on the court despite the mistakes.

Ceballos also said she thinks the team played hard and competed against the Lions, but hopes that the team can maintain the energy high in the third set and work on reading the ball more.

With two games left in the season, Santos needs the team to succeed in closing out the sets.

“I need the girls to make big swings and make big plays when it comes down to it,” Santos said. “It’s more so about digging deep and just finishing out the season.”

The Golden Eagles — now with a 2-8 region record — have a quick turnaround, playing their last away game of the season against the Camp Verde Cowboys on Tuesday at 6 p.m. They return to their home court for the last time on Thursday at 6 p.m.  for senior night against the Phoenix Christian Cougars.

North Valley, holding first place in the region with a 11-0 record, will face the Fountain Hill Falcons on Wednesday at 6 p.m. They will play their last home game against the Cowboys on Thursday at 6 p.m.