The Fountain Hills High School volleyball team set a goal at the beginning of the season to finish among the top eight ranked teams and get into the playoffs without having to win a play-in game.
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The Fountain Hills High School volleyball team set a goal at the beginning of the season to finish among the top eight ranked teams and get into the playoffs without having to win a play-in game.
They made a compelling case in their season finale Wednesday, Oct. 25, to stay at No. 8 or higher heading into the final rankings.
First, the Falcons (26-9) lost 3-0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-21) at Northwest Christian (30-11) Monday, Oct. 23. The Falcons stayed put at No. 8 after the loss, and Northwest Christian (NWC) moved to No. 4 from No. 5.
Looking to regain their stride and on the road for the second straight game, the Falcons beat No. 33 Bourgade Catholic (5-18) 3-0 (25-9, 25-5, 25-6) in the last game of the regular season Wednesday, Oct. 25.
“Go out there and don’t let this game affect how we’re going to play postseason,” head coach Olivia Long said after the loss to Northwest Christian. “We have to learn from this and make better choices next game.”
If rankings at the time of writing hold, the playoffs begin with the first and second rounds hosted at Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe Saturday, Nov. 4. Times will be determined by seeding in the bracket, available at azpreps365.com/brackets/volleyball-girls/3a.
If the Falcons fall in the rankings, they will host a play-in game Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m.
Senior Night
On senior night, Thursday, Oct. 19, the Falcons celebrated six seniors and won a five-set showdown against No. 13 Scottsdale Christian 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 15-13). They moved into second place in region 3A North Central with a sweep over the Eagles.
“I think it’s a big deal,” senior Elle Schulze said. “Last year, we didn’t beat them on senior night, and it’s our final home game. Scottsdale Christian’s always been a big competitor for us, so it just feels good to be able to take two wins on them and shut them down.”
Schulze and fellow seniors Sydney Boeshans, Jeneya Boone, Bella Garman, Bree March and Sophie Wickland have all played on varsity since their sophomore year. Each of the past three seasons, the Falcons have won at least seven more games than the last, from 9-18 to 16-14 to 25-9 this year.
The Falcons have a strong junior class as well and are hungry for their first playoff appearance in Long’s third year at Fountain Hills.
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