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Joshua Heron is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Veritas Prep Academy for AZPreps365.com

Veritas Prep displayed great poise when tied 7-7 with Sequoia Pathway in the opening set, ending the set on an 18-5 run thanks to two aces from sophomore Jill Maschue and a pair of kills from seniors Sydney Mishkin and Jaz Cobb. 

The Falcons did not slow down after the first set. They held the Pumas to 24 combined points in the following two sets to secure a 25-12, 25-13, 25-11 victory at Sequoia Pathway Academy on Thursday night, extending their win streak to three games and returning to .500 with a 7-7 record. 

Sequoia kept afloat to start the second set with a Falcons error making it 4-5. However, the error exposed a positive as the Falcons aggressively dived to the ground three times in an attempt to keep the play alive.

Veritas coach Brooks Dockter acknowledges the team's strength of character and its importance in this matchup.

"It's important that we stayed gritty," Dockter said. "I have seen progress in the girls’ aggression, and it was critical today because we knew coming in that Sequoia had a couple of talented hitters, and we had to slow them down by digging enough balls so they had to take more swings to score."

With defensive formidability came an offensive onslaught as the Falcons followed their error with a 15-5 run, widening their lead and eventually attaining a 25-13 second-set victory with the help of sophomore Mary Hamann's pair of blocks and kills. 

Veritas executed another dominant run in the third set with junior outside hitter Taylor Nicks posing two kills and an ace, contributing to the Falcons scoring 19 of the final 24 points to win 25-11, improving their away record to 3-2 this season.

Sequoia coach Lashieka Holley viewed the loss as a growth opportunity for her young squad.

"The girls played really well against a high-level team," Holley said. "We have only one senior, and the rest are sophomores, so we are young and still learning. I am very proud of what the girls put forward, and I think we can use this performance to grow and do well in the future." 

While the Pumas lacked veteran experience, the Falcons were short a few players, including captain McKenzie Perrault. However, Dockter's faith in his team's depth never wavered. 

"We have a lot of confidence in the girls that came off the bench," Dockter said. "Everyone possesses a 'next person up' mentality."

Although withheld to the sidelines due to injury, Perrault intentionally watched her teammates step up and commended their performance.

"I thought we played well. We kept the opposing team under 15 points each set which is great," Perrault said. "We missed a few serves, but we played really hard and efficiently." 

Nicks believes this game prepares the Falcons for this weekend’s Epic Tournament Volleyball Invitational despite a few players slated to be out. 

"We are going to have some players gone this weekend, so I think it was really nice to explore different positions in this game and work out different players," Nicks said. "It exposed that we have built an excellent connection and established trust.

Veritas Prep plays Catalina Foothills (6-1, 0-0) today at 4 p.m at the Arizona State Student Fitness Center for their first game of the Epic Tournament Volleyball Invitational.

Sequoia Pathway (4-2, 0-1) also plays in the tournament this week before hosting Chandler Prep (16-7, 1-0) on Wednesday at 6 p.m.