Kambell Schmidt is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Horizon Honors High School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX--The Eagles of Horizon Honors failed to soar Tuesday night, dropping all three sets to top-ranked Chandler Prep, 25-13, 25-19, 25-19. 

The Titans, number one in 2A in girls volleyball, made it their battle in visiting territory from the start. With their daunting red uniforms and intense glares, Chandler Prep leapt out to a commanding 14-6 lead in the opening set. 

Horizon Honors (HH) junior Allyssa Gauer's successful sharp serves helped defend and tire the Titans slightly and edged the Eagles a few points. A plethora of errors on HH's side of the court nullified Gauer's excellence, as the Titans triumphed in the first set 25-13.

As this was the second-to-last match of the season for Horizon Honors, the theme of the night was family.

                      Walls of Horizon Honors' gymnasium were lined with posters for next year's seniors (Kambell                                                                                                      Schmidt/AZPreps365)

"This season, the most important things to me were pursuit and family," said senior Elizabeth Stover. “We're such a tight family, we spend every minute together.” 

Stover's passion was evident on the court, as she had no substitutions throughout the match and led the team in kills with seven. 

Hugs and encouraging words were passed on from Eagle to Eagle each time the Titans struck, proving their tenacity and tight-knit bond they hold as a team. 

After a brief break and pep-talk from head coach Kristoffer Maglunog, the Eagles were ready to prey. They ecured an immediate 2-0 lead in the second set.

The second set would prove close. Each point was immediately responded to by the opponent. The score stayed within a couple points for half the set until Chandler Prep annihilated the tie with numerous unanswered serves and kills.

Horizon Honors' match did not go as hoped, losing both remaining sets by identical 25-19 scores. Coach Maglunog still wants his team to remember what really matters in their remaining journey as young volleyball players.

"Heart, grit, trust, and family is what I want these girls to focus on," said Maglunog. "Outside of this, there has to be a winner, and there has to be a loser. But you can always bring perfect effort every single time you come to practice or matches."

With one more game remaining in the season, Horizon Honors stands ranked No. 4 in its region out of eight teams with a 4-5 record.

This does not mean coach Magnulog's team did not succeed, though. In his eyes, they are champions. “It’s about not only influencing them as being good volleyball players, but being good people," said Maglunog. "I have two daughters so I always say I want my kids to look at you guys and say ‘Oh my gosh! My dad coached you? You’re such a good person.’”

Horizon Honors hosts Seqouia Pathway for their final game of the season Thursday night.

Regardless of how the score will turn out, the Eagles remain winners in coach Maglunog's eyes.