Notre Dame Prep defeated Paradise Valley Wednesday night at Paradise Valley in three straight games.

Notre Dame had control and possession of the ball most of the match, especially in the first two games. Having this advantage with strong consistent serving and offense created more of a gap in points and a struggle for Paradise Valley.

“Not letting the other team get five- to six-point runs is something we need to work on,” Paradise Valley head coach Leah Kauffman said.

Paradise Valley’s team is young, with mostly sophomores playing on their varsity team.

“Improving the communication together will for sure be something we focus on,” Kauffman said. “As well as being engaged in every single point.”

Game two had a lot of points given up due to miscues such as doubles on the ball, touching the net and touches off the block by both teams.

However, Notre Dame Prep. had an easier time bouncing back from those calls.

Notre Dame Prep senior setter Aneliesa Cartledge used a few tricks and dumps to help her team side out when needed. Along with those plays, Cartledge and senior setter Gillian McCauley both kept their sets tight to the net and at the perfect height so that their front row was able to attack the ball and get many kills.

Notre Dame Prep junior outside hitter Jessica Terlizzi had kills from both the front row and the back row. On top of her strong hitting, Terlizzi served consistently and strongly giving Paradise Valley a hard time setting up a strong attack.

“I definitely want us to focus more on whoever we are playing,” Terlizzi said. “And not have the same mentality for every team… we need to stay competitive.”

The third game started out with a serve by Paradise Valley, but Notre Dame Prep. quickly sided out.

Notre Dame Prep's freshman libero Mckenna Douglas brought communication onto the court and had digs perfectly landing in the setter’s hands, setting up the offense. Douglas has been starting since the beginning of the season.

“My first varsity game was nerve wracking,” Douglas said. “I did not know what to expect and wanted to make my first impression and game good.”

Douglas was a coiintributor on the defensive end.

“I feel more comfortable now with my team,” Douglas said. “I feel more relaxed, too.”

Paradise Valley and Notre Dame Prep will face each other one more time on October 23, before the season ends.