Jesse Brawders is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Carl Hayden Community High School for AZPreps365.com.

In their first home region game this season, the Carl Hayden girls volleyball team came back from losing the first set and won its first game of the season, 3-1, over the Fairfax Stampede on Tuesday in Argie Rhymes Gymnasium.

With every set being close, the key difference maker for the Falcons (1-8 overall, 1-1 5A Metro) was their composure and confidence late in the sets. 

Head coach Andrew Scott realized that they were down at times during the sets, but the girls continued to battle and saw what they have been chasing all season.

“They realized they saw the win,” Scott said, adding that there was an extra sense of energy and confidence with the Falcons playing on their home court.

Sisters Ashley Lazcano and Casey Lazcano both echoed the importance of winning their first game at home, with the support of the Falcons faithful.

In their past losses, the Falcons have struggled to stay in the game during the middle of the sets. On Tuesday night, they changed that trend and were able to keep the sets close throughout and into the final third.

Carl Hayden dropped the opening set, 25-22. But unlike previous games, the Falcons were able to keep their communication strong and fought back in the following sets.

The Falcons went on to win the next two sets, 25-19 and 25-18, due to long scoring runs near the end of each set. The effort was led by Andrea Hinojosa, Britzia Arguelles and the Lazcano sisters, including aces from Casey Lazcano.

Both Casey and Ashley Lazcano saw the opportunity to win after the third set, with Ashley stating that most of them could feel the pressure of the situation. Casey, on the other hand, felt like the game was already finished.

“I thought it was in the bag already,” Casey Lazcano said.

Carl Hayden was able to stay in the fourth set early, but fell behind after the Stampede went on a 7-0 run, leading 18-10 down the stretch.

After a timeout, the Falcons went on a 6-0 run to quickly bring the game, and the series, within reach. They went on to win six of the final seven points, clinching the win.  

Ashley and Casey Lazcano said the difference maker in the match was the team’s communication and confidence in each other, which they hope to continue in the rest of the season.

The win lifted the Falcons out of last place in the region, and according to Scott, the team will be able to take a ton of momentum into the rest of their region games.

“It was definitely a confidence boost,” Scott said. “We won on our home turf against the team who was ranked number one in our region.” 

Carl Hayden will continue its region schedule on Thursday, Sept. 30, as the Falcons travel to take on the Camelback Spartans. The Stampede will return home and play against the Central Bobcats on Wednesday, Sept. 29.