Alyssa Colwell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Shadow Mountain for AZPreps365.com.

 

It was the fourth set, Shadow Mountain was down 20-14 and needed to win to keep the game going. The Matadors went on a 6-3 rally to cut the deficit to three but ended up falling short as an attacking error cost them the game. 

When Shadow Mountain Matadors and the Greenway Demons faced each other for the first time on October 2 at Shadow Mountain High School, the matchup allowed the Matadors to improve their region standings, entering the game with a 1-1 region record.

The loss puts Shadow Mountain at a 1-2 region record and its third loss in a row. 

Regardless of the outcome, senior outside hitter, Macy Watson reflected positively on the team’s effort.

“Overall, I thought we played well and still had good attitudes throughout the game,” Watson said. “This team was very good at helping each other stay positive and moving on from our mistakes.”

After coming out strong in the first set, riding the energy of their loud student section to take an early lead, the Matadors won the set 25-21. 

Senior outside hitter Alix Ssennya rose above the net delivering continuous hits, leading to multiple kills early in the game, while also putting up multiple blocks throughout the first set. 

“Today, I felt like I had a really good view of where people were on the court,” Ssennya said. “I was having an easier time placing the ball and getting it to a good spot, which I thought was really helpful.” 

However, Greenway adjusted in the second set, taking advantage of empty spots that were open targets when the Demons went down for a kill. 

Despite junior libero Lillian Vargas having more than 30 digs the whole game, the Matador’s defense couldn’t keep up with the Demons in the second set. 

Shadow Mountain dropped the second set, 25-16, and momentum shifted. 

“The biggest thing is the attitudes,” Ssennya said after the game. “We need to remember that we have to win three sets. We can’t just win one and pretend it’s over.” 

The third set turned into a back-and-forth battle with both teams exchanging powerful attacks and critical defensive plays. 

Watson had 17 digs and 4 kills, which helped keep the Matadors in close range of the Demons. But the Demons were able to capitalize on multiple service and attack errors, taking the set 25-23 and the lead in the match.

“We just have to bring that momentum of ending strong into the rest of the sets,” Watson said. “We can’t just be like, ‘Oh yeah, we’re done.’ We’re not done. We need to zone back in.” 

Down two sets to one, the Matadors entered the fourth set with a renewed intensity, diving for every ball and shouting encouragement, rushing into position and chasing down every ball to keep the game alive.

Sophomore outside hitter Elle McCarville delivered 8 kills and contributed to the back-and-forth exchanges between both teams throughout the entire fourth set. 

The Matadors were unable to stop the Demons, losing the set 25-21 and the match. 

Despite the loss, Coach Dane Downs said the match was a learning experience.

“We have a lot of younger players so that killer instinct isn’t there yet,” Downs said. “So it’s reminding them that the job’s not done.”