Aya Abdeen is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Ridge High School for AZPreps365.com

Looking to bounce back and earn its 10th win of the season, Desert Ridge High School’s volleyball team instead fell to its second-straight loss Thursday night in Phoenix. The Jaguars (9-15) had a good start, but lost to Desert Vista High School 25-18, 25-18, 25-20.

The Desert Ridge Jaguars traveled to face the Desert Vista Thunder, ranked no. 24 in the state of Arizona according to MaxPreps.com. The Thunders’ fanbase roared out loud throughout the game, and the Jaguars could not keep up with the atmosphere. 


In the first set, Desert Ridge started off hot with a 7-1 run before Desert Vista responded with a 14-6 run to take the lead. The Jaguars continued to play consistently against this aggressive Thunder and kept it close, but they lost the opening set, 25-18.

Desert Ridge trailed 5-0 at the beginning of the second set before cutting Desert Vista’s lead to 5-4. The Thunder continued to build onto the momentum, until Desert Ridge answered back, tying the score at 17. They kept fighting hard and had a one-point lead, 18-17, until the Thunder stormed back to take the second set, 25-18. 

Desert Ridge had no response to this thunderous Desert Vista team and had several miscommunications throughout the game. However, the Jaguars had a better start in the third set, never giving up in a single fight against the Thunder. Desert Vista won 25-20, and Desert Ridge fell to 9-15 on the season. 

Senior outside and opposite hitter Courtney Grant, who leads Desert Ridge in hitting percentage, had seven kills and 10 digs. Hailey Wagner, team leader in assists throughout the season, dished out 15 assists.

Riley Abshire, sophomore libero and defensive specialist for the Jaguars, said she saw improvement. 

“Our blocking was better, and our defense was more on their toes,” Abshire said. 

Abshire also noted Natalie Lorenzo, a freshman outside hitter who leads the Jaguars in kills per set, for her leadership. “She likes to lead our team on hitting,” Abshire said. 

Lorenzo said that the Jaguars need to do better on “communicating about whose ball it is and passing well and then we'll be able to get more kills,” she said. Lorenzo led with 10 kills and 15 digs against the Thunder.

Junior middle blocker and right side hitter Abby Kilpatrick praised teammate Brooke Wold, a junior middle blocker and right side hitter, because she “had a lot of good blocks and went up on back row hits.”

Jaguars varsity head coach Randi Eaton gave credit to junior setters Kenna Rittenhouse and Wagner for their tremendous effort.

Jaguars assistant coach Heidi Hoopes said, "We just have to create the same energy at practice and practice moving our feet on surfaces and defense."

Desert Ridge has a five-day rest before traveling to Queen Creek September 27.