Varsity Volleyball lost a shocking defeat against the Round Rock Dragons on Friday, Oct. 18, losing 3-0 at their own Homecoming game.

The Dragons led the beginning first set 6-2 as the Warriors struggled to amass a lead. Soon, Ava Moncada ‘25 brought Westwood up 6-3 with a strong block and a shift in momentum. A crowd-deafening kill by Kate Petty ‘26 kept the Warriors in the game 7-4. However, as the Warriors continued to fall behind, they called a timeout at 12-6 to regroup and end Round Rock’s energy. The Warriors emerged strong, with Harper Zoll ‘25 scoring the first point out of the timeout, shining hope on the Warrior’s comeback. Although the Warriors were low on points, the stadium was still filled with boundless energy. An unexpected score by the Warriors resulted in cheers throughout the stadium as the Warriors continued to climb. However, despite these pushes, the Dragons still continued to score, forcing another timeout out of the Warriors at 21-12. Coming off the timeout motivated, the Warriors scored the first point out of the timeout to bring them up 13-21. But soon, the Dragons won the set 25-15.

“[I plan to] just practice getting reps in whenever I can outside of school [in the future to improve],” Emma Waghorne ‘27 said.

Set two started strong, with Westwood amassing two points in a row to bring them up 2-3. The second set proved itself to be a closer game than the previous as the teams tied at 5-5. With a few key points, Westwood took ahold of the lead getting up 7-5. The game continued as both teams matched each other’s energy, tying again at 9-9. This tied game soon broke as a four-point-run by the Dragons, the Warriors called a timeout at 9-13 to strategize. Once again coming out of the timeout, the Warriors started with a powerful ace by Moncada bringing the Warriors to 10-15. A quick block by Grace McCluskey ‘26 brought Westwood to 12-15. But soon, despite good serves and hits, the Dragons remained in the lead, forcing another timeout by the Warriors. In a final push in the set, the Warriors rushed the court, keeping their defenses strong as they began to catch up to the Dragon’s lead setting the game 20-17.  As the game neared its end, the stakes heightened as Zoll hit a close ball just over the net, which brought them 24-19 at Round Rock’s set point. However, once again, the Dragons took the set 19-25.

“During timeouts, we discussed that we needed to finish better and we needed to up our communication,” Katie Flannagan ‘25 said.

The Warriors began the third set strong, taking the early lead 2-0. The Warriors continued to climb, setting the game 5-1. But, devastating misplays put the final set 6-6 as the Dragons went on a seven-point run. The Warriors called a timeout as the Dragons were up 8-6 to strategize how to end their run. Although the Dragons continued their run coming out of the timeout, Moncada scored a point for Westwood, bringing the game 14-7 with Round Rock in the devastating lead 14-7 A long rally beginning in a diving save by Mia Massey ‘25 resulted in nonstop cheering from both sides of the crowd, resulting in a point for Westwood. However, this was too little too late as the Dragons had already secured their lead 23-17. The final point was decided by the longest rally of the game and even though the Warriors put up a good fight, the Round Rock Dragons won the rally, the set 25-19, and the game 3-0.

“[During] long rallies, I try to focus on technique and the fundamentals,” McCluskey said. “I try to put that into my game because going back to the basics is the first thing we have to do to put the ball down straight away.”

The Warriors take on Cedar Ridge Raiders at Westwood High School on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. for their Parent Night.