Janiya Negron is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Heritage Academy Laveen High School for AZPreps365.com

Heritage Academy Laveen has faced a tough start to the season, but its perseverance remains evident. Despite another loss, the Heroes fought hard and nearly pushed the match to a fourth set.

After dropping the first two sets, 10-25 and 15-25, Heritage Academy nearly forced a close fourth set that ended in Highland Prep West winning 22-25.

Heritage Academy Laveen, a 2A Valley team coached by Edward Anderson, has been going through some challenges this season. Each player’s determination and hard work is very evident in the matches that they play, but unfortunately the results don't always come into their favor when it comes to working as a team.

“I think the biggest challenge they face is working as a team,” Anderson said. “There’s too many individuals out there.”

Ellanor Earl, a middle hitter and outsider for Heritage Academy shared her thoughts on her team’s chemistry despite facing a loss today. 

“I feel like we have pretty good team chemistry this year. Everybody seems really close and we’re all friends,” Earl said. “I feel like on the court that really contributes to why when people make a play and make a mistake we brush it off by being reassuring rather than getting upset.”

Going through losses as a team could be really hard on one's ego and cause a form of struggle when it comes to finding motivation with pushing through and still believing in what the team can achieve. 

Valeria Valencia, a libero for Heritage Academy spoke out on ways her and her teammates are keeping each other motivated after tough games.

“I think we just really talk it out and fix the problems,” Valencia said. “We focus on talking about the negatives and positives.”

Highland Prep West, a 2A West team coached by Lynneis Myers, is back on a winning streak after two back-to-back losses these past matches. 

Highland Prep West girls volleyball team started off and ended strong with a close match into the third-set with Heritage Academy resulting in a score 25-22.

There are many strengths when it comes to working as a team and pushing towards the same goals. 

“I’m just hustling and making sure they communicate and show interest in each other, making sure they're talking and being consistent with it.” Myers said.

Isabella Rendon, a setter and opposite hitter for Highland Prep shared her thoughts on the team's chemistry so far this season.  

“I feel like our team’s chemistry this season is really us recognizing that we are all friends,” Rendon said. “We just bonded together this season and I really think that is what’s going to push us forward for the rest of the season.”

Highland Prep West attended a tournament this past weekend where they struggled in that last match so tonight’s win helped put them back on track. 

“This win helps us to just refocus on the set for the season,” Myers expressed. “We’re going into some really long matches in region play so this will help get us refocused and reset for that.” 

In this next game against undefeated team Phoenix Country Day, Heritage Academy Laveen will need to focus more on their solidity and momentum as a group so they can win in this upcoming match.