Olivia Wells
ASU Student Journalist

No. 14 Paradise Valley lands blowout upset against No. 3 Buena in 5A volleyball first round

November 15, 2020 by Olivia Wells, Arizona State University


The Trojans celebrating after beating the Colts in all three sets.

Olivia Wells is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Paradise Valley for AZPreps365.com. 

The stage was set at Amphitheater High School in Tucson, where both teams traveled to make this game.

Paradise Valley defeated Buena in three sets, making it a blowout win. Junior Emma Parmley led in kills, easily finding the hole in the Colts’ defense and landing points.

“It was all a matter of seeing the other teams' court and knowing where the open spots were along with finding the weaknesses of the other team and using them to my advantage.” Parmley said. “We just found what was working for us as a team and continued to take advantage of our opportunities.”

It wasn’t long before the Colts answered back. Within a few minutes, Buena tied the set. But it never surpassed the Trojans. Paradise Valley’s explosive and fast-paced play style knocked Buena off its feet, and the first set went to the Trojans 25-20.

Junior Emma Parmley landing the set-winning kill

Many Buena fans attended the game, trying to give the girls a home-court feel despite being away from home. Every point the Colts scored, the crowd erupted. The Trojans didn’t seem to mind, and continued to play without issue.

In the second set, the Trojans took an early lead once again. Once they had the rhythm to beat the Colts, nothing could stop them. Senior Grace Gin served several aces throughout the game.

 “My serving game was on today,” she said. “We also generated a lot of points by defending my serve even if they weren’t straight aces.”

Once again, the Buena Colts rallied to try and match the Trojans. They attempted to tie the set, but it was already too late. The Trojans took the second set 25-22.

By the third set, the Trojans were feeling confident while the Colts seemed to lose their fire. The Trojans once again answered early and sealed the Colts fate, 25-12.

The Trojans next face Sunrise Mountain in the quarterfinals on Tuesday and are positive they will keep improving.

 “I think we can pull it out,” Gin said. “No matter the team, the competition is going to be high, so we got to take this as our chance to show how strong our team is.”