Maddux Burks is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Valley Vista High School for AZPreps365.com

Toward the end of every high school season, one night is especially emotional for the team’s graduating players. Senior Night is a special night dedicated to recognizing the senior’s last home game of their final high school season. Parents walk their kids down the court holding flowers and holding back tears while a personalized message is read over the loudspeaker. In the 2020 season, though, Senior Night looks very different. 

Valley Vista Monsoon’s Senior Night took place at the first home game of the season, an adaptive way to celebrate the team during a pandemic-ridden season. A 3-0 set victory over region rival Shadow Ridge Stallions allowed the celebration to continue to the locker rooms.

Pinned against a rival on Senior Night creates its own eruptive energy like no other. Combined with the sounds of cheers, the first serve of the game smacked like a clap of thunder. The Stallions returned the rival-like energy right back, inching the Monsoon to within one point several times throughout the three-set match.

The Monsoon were the first to bite, though, scoring on the first play with only two touches on the ball. Senior outside hitter Aliyah Moore brought height to both the front row and back row, leaping to score kills that brought the crowd into a frenzy.

Serves floated and zipped over the net, but the ones that fell short kept Shadow Ridge in the fight. “I was in my head a little bit about [serving], but once I got my rhythm back, I was doing good,” Moore said. Ironically, a missed serve from the Stallions ended the first set, 25-21.

The Monsoon were in a good position: home court, one set already in the bag, the earsplitting stomps of the crowd driving them to continue on. Their one disadvantage: being friends with their rivals. “They all know each other… it’s a little bit of stress,” head coach David Chavez said.

On the sidelines, Chavez encouraged his players to remain disciplined and utilize what they’ve learned in practice. Moore seemed to pocket that information as her dig kept the ball to begin the second set. The Stallions had a better feel for their opponents now; The rally scoring progressed quickly, seemingly switching sides every second.

After a brutal spike to the head, Shadow Ridge took the lead for the first time in the set, 5-4. This would be the only time the Stallions took the lead in the second set, trailing behind by as many as five points the entire set. Junior Ashlynn Luzier made her start in the second set, serving the final ball of the set, where Moore spiked the return for the closing point. Another set win was racked up for the Monsoon, 25-23.

Moore played the entire match, only stepping foot off the court for sips of water during timeouts. As a senior, the gratitude poured out of her onto the court. “I was so excited to be on the court at all times competitively against our own district,” she said.

With yet another opening score in the third set, Moore and the Monsoon were determined to finish strong. To break the fourth tie of the set, Moore spiked a fast ball into a wide-open Stallion court, bringing the players on the bench to their feet. The scoreboard showed 13-12, but miscommunication would contribute to two more ties, extending the set. “These are silly errors,” senior setter Hannah Ferreira said.

Their accomplishments ultimately outweighed their mistakes. The Monsoon defeated the Stallions in the third set, 25-21. The winning kill by Moore had no chance of being recovered, bringing her kill count to 21 on the season. 

In an emotional and dynamic night, the Monsoon continued their season undefeated. “This was really important to us,” Ferreira said. “Having beat [our rival], it gives us a lot of confidence for the rest of the season.”