Valley Lutheran (9-4 overall, 2-2 in 1A East) region has emerged as one of the the 1A conferences best teams this season compared to last season at 5-15.

The Flames are currently second in their region behind Cicero Prep. 

After two consecutive wins against Lincoln Prep (5-8) on Oct. 4 and Desert Heights Prep the next day,  The Flames are looking to finish the season strong in their final two back-to-back regular season matches at Lincoln Prep on Oct. 18, and the following day when they host Sequoia Charter on Senior Night on Oct. 19, both at 6 p.m. 

The Sequioa Charter Stallions (1-12) have not had the luck the Flames have had this season being last in the 1A East.

The Flames have amassed this is the best record among their senior players since they finished 13-6 as freshmen. 

According to the team, the jump in wins from the two previous years is not a shock, as the move from the 2A to 1A conference has helped them face more balanced competition. 

“The move down from 1A probably helped our confidence a little,” senior middle hitter Kerrigan Douglas, who recently had 14 kills against Desert Heights Prep, said. 

The Flames had been in 2A from 2018 to 2021 seasons, during which their record was 35-29. 

According to senior outside hitter Maddie Brooks, while the lower divisions can “get a little weird” in terms of which teams are really good or bad, the move from 2A to 1A helps the team because it’s “not as big of a jump in skill.” 

As seniors, Brooks, Douglas, and senior middle/right side hitter Makena Good have seen various changes to the team outside of the move from 2A. The most notable change was coach Stacy Parker’s move to head coach their junior year. She previously served as the Flames’ assistant coach.

“We had a switch from our coach that we had our freshmen and sophomore years to coach Parker,” Good said. “It was a big switch as every coach is different, like their drills and coaching styles. It was a big change.”  

While Parker’s coaching style took some getting used to, it appears to have paid off being second in 1A East hoping to compete in the state tournament.  

“As varsity players and seniors, we haven’t gone to state yet as we only went when we were junior varsity,” Good said. “I would definitely say our biggest goal this year is to go to state.”  

While the team has big goals for the end of the year including a win against Sequoia Charter on senior night, their main focus as of right now is on each other. Whether it be motivating teammates or keeping everyone in check and accountable as they move towards the postseason.  

“Working together, not getting discouraged and not getting down on each other,” Brooks said. “We have to really build each other up when we are playing and stay that way and not get discouraged halfway through a set, because then it just falls apart.”