Sam Valenti is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Metro Tech High School for AZPreps365.com.

The Bobcats of Central High School came away with a convincing home victory in three sets against the Knights of Metro Tech High School Wednesday night in Phoenix. 

The result comes as a surprise to many, as Central had not won a game in the 5A Metro region coming into the game. However, Central set the tone early with a dominant 25-10 victory in the first set. The Bobcats swarmed the Knights with point barrages that they just couldn’t stop. 

The second set was more competitive and exciting. It seemed at one point that Central would replicate its tremendous first set in the second, taking a 17-9 lead. Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenge, Metro Tech answered the call. The Knights proceeded to outscore the Bobcats 14-2 from that point to take a 23-19 lead. It felt like Metro Tech had taken up all of the momentum, but then Central wrestled the momentum back to take a 24-23 lead.

Eventually, the second set found both teams locked at 25 points. The Bobcats and Knights were determined to get the points needed to win by two to take the important set. In the end, it was Central that found a way to grab those points, winning the second set 27-25. 

Central made sure there wouldn’t be any more volleyball played after the third set. Just like the first set, it won the set decisively 25-10. The crowd cheered as the Bobcats celebrated their first win in 5A Metro play and their third win overall on the season. 

Central head coach Kristin Harris said she was impressed by her team’s great play in the win.

“Energy and hustle win games,” Harris said. “Our defense always has to be good so we can be prepared, but our offense was really on tonight.”

Metro Tech had come away with a hard-fought victory in five sets against Betty Fairfax the previous night. 

“We’re not gonna use fatigue as an excuse,” Metro Tech head coach Bryan Heckler said. “Central played tough, so I want to congratulate them on their win.”

What did seem to be a factor was the passionate crowd at Central, with fans and players bringing lots of energy to the gym.

“It was really awesome,” Central senior Chantel Beltran Lopez said. “I think the energy really helped the girls and kept them more motivated and more confident in the game.”

With the win, Central moves to 3-13 overall and 1-7 in 5A Metro region play. Metro Tech falls to 6-7 overall and 4-3 in region play. The next game for Central is a road game against Sierra Linda at 6 p.m. on Oct. 17, while the next game on tap for Metro Tech is a home game against Independence, also at 6 p.m. on Oct. 17.