Braeden Steele is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Valley Lutheran High School for AZPreps365.com  

A 3-1 loss Tuesday night to No. 22 Lincoln Prep dropped Valley Lutheran from eight to ninth in the 1A conference. With the postseason looming, a home win against Sequoia Charter on Wednesday night in their last regular season match of the season was paramount for the Flames.

Wednesday night was important to the Flames for more reasons than just winning. It was also their Senior Night. While the match would likely be an emotional experience for many of the players, head coach Stacy Parker was confident the girls wouldn’t let it get in the way of a win.  

"Senior Night adds an extra dimension as there is a little more emotional impact, especially at the start of the match, " Parker said. "Hopefully our seniors will settle in quickly and play solid volleyball, and of course, enjoy themselves a lot." 

Coach Parker's hopes and predictions for the match turned out to be accurate, despite a slow start in the first set, the Flames came together and beat the Stallions in straight sets.  

The Flames started slow in the first set, making multiple errors and falling into a 10-2 deficit. But after junior middle hitter Xochitl Gomez served multiple straight aces, the team hit a stride and never looked back, winning 25-16.

The second set was never in doubt as the Flames opened on a 20-9 pace, winning 25-15. The decisive third set was very competitive to start with the Flames and Stallions going back and forth as the Flames grasped to a 14-12 lead. But they soon hit another stride and won 25-13, the Valley Lutheran student body rushing the court in excitement right after to congratulate the team.

Before the match, the Flames held a commemorative ceremony for the four seniors on the team. Maddie Brooks, middle blocker right side hitter Makena Good, defensive specialist Kim Interiano, and middle hitter Kerrigan Douglas.

Douglas recorded multiple kills in the match, including the winner for the second set.  Like the rest of her team, Douglas was also overjoyed by the win.

"I'm so happy that we won, we really pushed through, fought hard, and I am so proud of our team," Douglas said. "I can't even put it into words, it makes me so happy."  

While the Flames are very happy and excited about the win, they are also getting prepared for the state tournament. Junior setter Riley Parker knows how important getting ready for state is. 

"We are gonna track and keep up the velocity we carried in this game and our practices into all of our state games," Parker said. 

Looking back on the season, assistant coach Rianna Haro-Orlando remarked how proud she was of the team, especially the players who "stepped up in different ways throughout the year."  

The Flames will play next in the 1A Copper Tournament hosted by Williams High School from Oct. 24-29. Valley Lutheran is one of 10 schools participating, which include 1A East region opponents Lincoln Prep, Cicero Prep, and the Flames' senior night opponent, Sequoia Charter.