Anne-Marie Iemmolo is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism Student assigned to cover Bourgade Catholic High School for AZPreps365.com

The Bourgade Golden Eagles were on a two-game losing streak as they prepared to face the winless Cortez Colts on Monday. The two teams rallied back and forth before Eagles’ opposite hitter, Carolina Herrera, served an ace to close out the third set and win the match.

The Eagles (3-6, 3-7) swept the Colts, 25-23, 25-21, 25-13. 

Herrera, a senior, finished the game with two aces and two kills. 

“It was just the energy that brought me up so much,” Herrera said. “Seeing my teammates be so up and happy, I think that's just what felt so great.” 

During the third set, Eagles setter Selene Brito assisted middle blocker Kyra Williams in scoring a kill to advance the team’s lead. 

Williams completed another stellar performance on the court, blocking multiple hits from her opponents. Williams served two aces and also had four kills and three solo blocks. 

The Colts fought to the finish but were unable to break through the Eagles' defense. 

Colts middle blocker Jordyn Block led her team’s offense, finishing the game with five kills and one ace. 

Towards the end of the first set, Block and her teammates went on a scoring run to shorten the Eagles’ lead. Golden Eagles opposite hitter and team captain Alice Gallegos spiked a kill to end the Colts' rally and win the first set, 25-23. 

Gallegos set the tone for Monday’s match and helped the Eagles keep control of the game. Gallegos racked up four kills and three aces. 

Colts coach Alberto Ramos cited his team’s lack of communication and cohesiveness as factors in their loss to the Eagles. 

“We were not talking much, and this is a very loud team,” Ramos said. 

The Colts (0-9, 0-8) have struggled to win a game this season. Still, Ramos remained positive and took Monday’s match as a learning opportunity, identifying areas where his players can improve. 

The Eagles celebrated their junior high students during the game. The bleachers were filled with current and future Bourgade students, parents, and other community members cheering on the Eagles. 

Eagles Coach Jesse Santos felt grateful as he watched the Bourgade community rally around his team. Santos attributed the crowd's high energy as a motivating factor for his players.   

In preparation for their game against the Colts, Santos had his players scrimmage during practices. 

Throughout the season, the Eagles have struggled with communication on the court.

“I can’t make them open their mouths,” Santos said.  

However, after Monday’s match, Santos noted a positive improvement in players communicating and shouting for the ball.  

The Golden Eagles will host the Scottsdale Christian Academy Eagles (3-2, 4-4) at 6 p.m.Thursday. The Colts will host the Moon Valley Rockets (4-3, 4-3) at 6 p.m. Wednesday.