Chelcie Cruz
ASU Student Journalist

Sunnyslope's alarming night ends on a good note

October 21, 2016 by Chelcie Cruz, Arizona State University


The Phoenix Sunnyslope girls varsity volleyball team had an eventful Thursday night home game as it swept Tempe McClintock in a 5A Conference match.

A fog machine being used at a school event triggered a fire alarm, interrupting Sunnyslope's breast awareness recognition during its volleyball match. But the distraction didn't keep Sunnyslope from exiting its gym quickly after defeating McClintock 25-11, 25-8, 25-8.

Sunnyslope is ranked No. 3 with an overall record of 22-13, 8-0 in section and is preparing for another postseason appearance. 

“We’re going to have a week of practice before state, and sometimes our best competition is in practice,” Sunnyslope coach Amber LeTarte said. “So we’ll be able to kind of get that intensity back before state.”

Sophomore Jazmyn Wheeler led LeTarte's team with six kills.

Wheeler rotated out during the match to allow younger players to get reps, including freshmen Blayke LeTarte and Maddie Shepston, who were brought up from junior varsity.

“We have a team of 16 instead of 14, and I think it makes us really dynamic,” assistant coach Sarah Johnson said. “So our bench is deep, but we're having intense practices focusing on what to do better.”

Blayke had eight assists, and Shepston went in during the last game, when she started strong with back-to-back-to-back kills. 

McClintock has struggled this year, but that hasn't dampen the spirit of the players.

“We’re having a good time, still trying to compete and I still work them hard, but it is what it is” Dunn said.

Sunnyslope's regular season finale is on Tuesday, when they will honor its seniors, but they can’t take the match lightly with the playoffs on the horizon.