Metro Tech volleyball repeats history as they dominate Alhambra in a 3-0 triumph
September 26, 2024 by Ellie Shaw, Arizona State University
Ellie Shaw is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Metro Tech High School for AZPreps365.com.
From start to finish, Metro Tech High School swept the floor with its kills, communication and serves.
The Metro Tech Knights haven’t faced the Alhambra Lions since the 2019-2020 season but both times, the Knights took the crown in a 3-0 victory. Although the Lions were fighting hard for a win, the outcome was not in their favor. Alhambra got closer to Metro Tech with every set they played, but the final set scores were 25-15, 25-18, and 25-22.
A senior on the team, Mia Zuniga-Barrera, was a shining star throughout all three sets. Serve after serve, Zuniga-Barrera never failed to spike the ball with an incredible force over the net.
“Our team dynamic is really good. It comes in terms of working together. We all respect each other and want each other to do the best,” Zuniga-Barrera expressed about her teammates and how they work hand in hand together.
An eyecatching player was Amy Valenzuela Arvallo, who was on fire behind the net. Throughout the game, Valenzuela Arvallo had five tips and seven kills against Alhambra. She was a strong pinch player who helped her team end up on top.
Due to Valenzuela Arvallo’s power on the court, Alhambra had a hard time keeping the ball in the lines. Metro Tech had the upper hand with the home-court advantage, but the Lions made avoidable mistakes that cost them in the long run. With earrings and necklaces still on during the game, Alhambra only came close to the Knights during the final set of the match.
Head Coach for the Knights, Bryan Heckler, is entering his fourth season with the Metro Tech girl’s volleyball team. Heckler was proud of how his team played and the outcome that came from it.
“We’re getting in the right direction but we also need to keep pushing forward and just keep growing every day, just getting a little bit better each day. And to find our purpose, to find what that purpose is, we continue to work and find that edge. We need to do that but we need to not be content,” Heckler shared post-game.
Another senior on the team not only set up her team for success but laid them up for perfect sets to sweep the scoreboard. Anahi Calderon was a strong force on and off the court and advocated for her team when question struck the court.
“Previous teams we weren’t on the same page and I feel like we were clashing heads. Whereas this team is comfortable enough to keep everyone in check and make sure we’re talking to one another. If we see something we need to improve, we can be straight up and let them know,” Calderon said.
With several players being active on both the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams, Metro Tech did not slack on the court, both playing-wise and communication. Even with the Lion's expressive and echoing fan base to the cheerleaders directly behind them, the Knights rarely lacked in terms of talking with each other and being on the same page as one another.
The Metro Tech Knights will continue to keep a smile on their faces as they face the rest of their season, together as a team.