Destini Jones is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication student assigned to cover Moon Valley High School for AZPreps365.com. 

Moon Valley varsity girls volleyball fell short in a five-set battle to Goldwater in a region matchup.

Moon Valley’s girls volleyball team went into Tuesday’s match looking for its first region win against Goldwater in the 4A Skyline Region.

In a tense five-set game, the Rockets had a tough loss against the Bulldogs. Leaving the Rockets still searching for their first region win. 

 Goldwater ended a tie game at the end of the fifth set to pull out a 15-25, 25-18, 17-25, 25-20, 15-13 win at Moon Valley. 

After winning the first and third sets, Moon Valley had control during the decisive fifth. The team jumped out to a 9-4 lead, which energized the home crowd and showed good communication on the Rockets' side. 

But as the set was closing, late errors and missed coverages allowed the Bulldogs to get back in the game. Goldwater eventually tied the score at 13 before closing out the final two points to seal the match. The loss dropped Moon Valley to a region record of 0-5.

Outside hitter Kalani Knighton said her team’s energy was noticeably different this time from their previous losses during the 24-25 season against Goldwater, 3-1, 3-0.

“We had a lot more energy than the last time we played them,” Knighton said. “I think our energy played a big part in this game.”

Moon Valley started fast in the first set by scoring the first five opening points. The Rockets used that early control to secure the first set.

In the third set, Kalani helped the Rockets with a service ace that broke the tie of 11. Eventually, the Rockets took control of the rest of the set, pushing the team to a 2-1 lead in the match. 

Middle hitter Jordyn Lumpkin said the loss did not feel like a defeat because of how strong the team played. 

Lumpkin added that her serving shifted the flow at times and praised her teammates’ improved communication and effort.

Both head coach Christy Wiley and Lumpkin pointed out that the Rockets struggled most with tip coverage. Tip coverage is when the team has a hard time getting to the short hits over the net because they are not positioned close enough to the net to stop them. 

“I definitely feel like there were multiple balls I missed blocking because I thought they wouldn’t hit it,” Lumpkin said. “That is something we need to improve on.”

Wiley agreed, adding that tip coverage and missed serves made a difference.

“Offensively, I think this was one of our better games,” Wiley said. “ But errors on our side hurt us when it mattered.”

Goldwater took the second and fourth sets, capitalizing on Moon Valley’s mistakes. 

Wiley highlighted Knighton and Lumpkin as key contributors in both leadership and performance in this matchup. With her key roles for this match, Knighton was named player of the match. 

Despite the loss, Knighton said the team had fun and showed signs of growth.

“We picked up more balls in the back,” Knighton said. “The best part of the game was the energy we had.”