Blessing Fraser is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism graduate student assigned to cover Maricopa for AZPreps365.com

The Maricopa Rams were triumphant once again Monday night. They faced the Kofa Kings in a multi-conference, non-region home match. The stands were filled with athletes, students and families who came out to support the Rams during their stellar season. 

Decked out in pink, the fans showed out for Pink Out night, a game dedicated in support of Breast Cancer awareness month. 

The bleachers were covered in pink streamers with baby pink and white balloons attached. During warmups each player on the team also wore a pink t-shirt with their last name printed on the back.

One particular fan rocking a hot pink shirt attended the game to get involved in the school spirit that the Rams bring every night on the court. As a sophomore, she wants to make the time 

“I come to the volleyball games for the experience. Just to be around in that atmosphere, it gets you hype,” said Kawaii Weary. 

And indeed an experience it was. The Rams did not disappoint their supporters, winning in three straight sets 25-14, 25-10, 25-17.

However, the journey to success did not come easy. 

“Our only goals for tonight were communication and effort because I knew the lineup was going to be different. I knew we were going to start sweating and our knees would shake for whatever reason, so that was really our main goal,” coach Tia Kannapel said. 

The Rams decided to shift their lineup for tonight’s game, meaning the girls had to adjust the way they play.

Sophomore Saxyn Coles did not play due to back pain and decided to rest for their upcoming match. This gave the opportunity for some of the other girls on the team to show what they can bring. 

The Kings won the first three points of the match while the Rams struggled to find their footing. The first set was a game of tennis with the points alternating back and forth between the two teams. 

“I just want them to error in confidence because errors are going to happen either way. So I really have just been encouraging them to just compete,” Kannapel said. 

However, the Rams were able to get the match back under their control. 

Junior Aylani Washington showed out with four kills within the first set to secure the win 25-14.

Another newer face on the court, Kylana Carroll helped the team reach victory scoring two back to back aces to make the score 23-15 in the third set. 

Senior Brianna Pino sealed the game with four kills in the third set and the 25th point being her fifth. 

“Everything within your power, you should want to do every point,” said Kannapel. 

Although the Kings fell short, they did not back down against the Rams. This in turn made for a very entertaining match. 

“I think the group of girls I had this year is probably the strongest group that we’ve had in, honestly, the past five years,” Kofa head coach Analy Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez has coached this team of girls for the past three years, being the head coach for the past two. With the majority of the girls being seniors, the head coach is proud of the accomplishments that she has had with the team and is looking forward to more growth. 

On the other hand, the Rams are preparing for their next match this week. On Wednesday, the Rams (20-13) face Kannapel's former stomping grounds, Catalina Foothills(16-14-1) away.