Haley Estabrook is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Westview High School for AZpreps365.com

AVONDALE, Ariz. - The Westview Knights varsity girls volleyball team lost to the West Point Dragons at home on Monday, 3-0, to fall to 1-3 on the season. 

The Dragons move to 3-1 and are sitting on top of the 6A West Valley standings. 

Both of these teams had moved conferences over the off-season, with the Knights moving up from 6A Southwest to the 5A Desert West and the Dragons moving from 5A Central to 6A West Valley.

“We want to continue to just do what we can and developing our players to play at that level,”  Westview coach Alexandria Bybee said. “5A is like the toughest division in volleyball, in high school volleyball, so we’ll just continue to build as if we’re gonna stay in 5A.”

The teams played each other last season in four sets before the conference change and Westview came out on top winning 3-1. 

Both teams were looking to get back into the win column this season after they each were coming off of a loss. 

The Westview Knights came out quickly in the first set, taking a 9-2 lead. West Point took a timeout that settled them down. After this, the Knights looked to hang onto their lead but the Dragons rallied their way back into it eventually winning 25-21.

“West Point had some good plays. Once we saw that we got down on ourselves, But I feel like just because they did good doesn’t mean we have to go down on ourselves, doesn't mean we have to give up on the game,” freshman outside hitter Alyssa Bernal said. 

In the second set, the Dragons took an early lead and extended it to 20-10. Westview worked to get back into it, but the Dragons held their ground winning 25-16.

The third set looked similar, with the Dragons jumping up to a quick lead and Westview rallying back towards the end. The Dragons continued to hold tough and win the set 25-18. 

“We just need to get our communication down because I think that’s what's holding us back the most,” freshman outside hitter Justiynne Hood said. “We need to trust each other all throughout . Other than that, I think we’re pretty good. We just gotta communicate and trust each other on what we’re trying to do.”

The Knights had some bright spots to look at despite the loss, totalling 24 kills and 5 aces throughout the three sets. 

Following the loss, Bybee said that coaching volleyball is more than just the wins and losses  but growing her team. 

“I want to be growing those kids as much as they can so that they can go to school and play where they want to play and continue to grow my younger kids into confident athletes.” Bybee said.

The Knights have a quick turnaround in games and a busy week ahead of them playing again at home on Thursday at 6 p.m. against Verrado High School, which they lost to earlier in the season.