During the Warriors’ last home game of the season on Tuesday, Oct. 23, they faced a fierce battle against the Vista Ridge Rangers. The game was close, with many long rallies, but ultimately, Vista came out victorious, winning 3-1.
“I was excited [for the game] because it was a close game last time we played them and it was our last home game,” Piper Evans ‘27 said.
The first point of the game did not bode well for the Warriors as Vista Ridge got the first couple of points. However, two aces by Lila Wellington ‘25 brought the first tie of the game as twos. Both teams brought the intensity through the first set and had several impressive digs to keep the rallies alive. But, while the Warriors had some key plays, they remained down for most of the set. However, the Warriors never let energy fall with key blocks and quick defense to keep the rallies alive. Vista Read this energy and brought it right back, swiftly ending the set 25-14.
“During the first set our biggest issue was serve receives and setting up the offense,” Harper Zoll ‘25 said. “What we did is we transitioned to a different freeball play so we were able to get a better offense and a better execution.”
Vista again started the second set by putting the first point on the board. But, similar to the last, Westwood quickly read the Rangers’ intensity and dished it right back by throwing down a slew of good hits. The Warriors, once again, caught up for the first tie of the second set at 5-5. After a brief timeout, the Warriors pulled ahead for their first lead of the evening. Zoll riled up the crowd with back-to-back kills that were soon followed by powerful blocks, securing the Warriors’ lead. Vista soon called a timeout to stop the Warriors’ largest lead of the night and pick up their intensity. Westwood responded to this increase in aggression with their own timeout as the score approached another tie with the Warriors up 20-19. This race to 25 soon spilled into overtime as both teams went all out to claim the set, however soon blasting two kills into the Ranger defense, the Warriors took the second set home 27-25.
“I feel like we gain momentum so fast but we also lose it faster,” Fleur Bullot ‘27 said. “We’re so inconsistent so the games are very up and down. I think changing it up could help sometimes”
The set started with a bang with a quick first tie at 3-3. The Rangers didn’t let that tie hold for long, they quickly set up plays to get them quick and easy points and in just a matter of a couple of minutes the score was already 5-8. However, in a pattern shift, Vista started to make costly mistakes that Westwood capitalized on. However, falling behind later in the set due to a lack of momentum, the Warriors called their first time out of the set down 20-15. While Westwood struggled to stay organized through this set, their back row began to pick up their serve receives to give the Warriors a chance. The Warriors called their second timeout as the set came to a close, ultimately ending the set short 25-19.
“When we had good energy we were able to keep the ball in play and support each other and cheer each other on,” Grace McCluskey ’26 said. “With energy brings communication and communication is the biggest key to volleyball, it allows us to communicate what is happening on our side and the other side.”
In the same pattern as the last three sets, Vista scored the first few points, the Warriors took their chance to tie, but again, weak passes kept the Warriors from fully executing. Soon, in a last-ditch attempt to regain control, Wellington set the ball over the net in a dump kill to throw the Rangers off. However, despite these tricky calls the Warriors called their first timeout at 8-15 and soon used their second after their proposed plan for heightened aggression was fruitless. Coming out of their second timeout of the set, Piper with a quick kill lifted the score to 19-17 with the Warriors in striking range of the lead. Vista called a timeout as Westwood began to catch up. After the timeout, Vista gets the first point however Mia Massey ‘25 with two back-to-back hits put the game 20-19 with the Warriors gaining. A shanked hit by Vista gave Westwood their first lead of the set at 22-21. However, in their final push of the game, Vista gained intensity and fought for the win setting the final score 25-23
“I’ve been playing in this gym since freshman year so it’s kinda bittersweet to be leaving, but I’m proud of what I’m leaving behind,” Zoll said.
The Warriors fought hard throughout the game but ultimately ended just short of the win with a final score of 3-1. The Warriors will take the court again Friday, Oct. 25, on the road against the Stoney Point Tigers.
