Mohana Holloway is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Bourgade Catholic High School for AZPreps365.com

It was a cutthroat race for a Bourgade Catholic victory against the Wickenburg Wranglers in a four-set match at the Bourgade Catholic gymnasium on Wednesday night, 17-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-23. 

The Bourgade Catholic Golden Eagles (4-9) displayed a strong sense of motivation, made evident in the final set which included a 6-0 scoring run, led by outside hitter Alice Gallegos.

“I think our opponents have been our rivals for many years,” Gallegos said. “It is a part of our school motto to bring a certain level of competitiveness. Maintaining that is what kept us alive through our sets.” 

The Golden Eagles started slow with the Wranglers (1-11) leading the first set on a 6-0 scoring run. Wranglers libero Maleigh Colvin and outside hitter Siena Thompson earned points for aces, hits and kills. 

Bourgade did not stray far behind, however, with outside hitter Emily Bonilla and Gallegos scoring two aces and two kills, bringing the set score up to 15-17. Thompson earned points for a 4-0 scoring run, recording three aces and one kill as Wickenburg claimed the first set, 25-17. 

“Our strategy was to play a mind game against our opponents,” Bourgade Catholic Coach Jesse Santos said. “That is what helped change the pace of the game when we needed it.” 

The second set began with a back-and-forth of points between the teams. The Golden Eagles stormed back with points earned for kills by Gallegos and middle hitter Kyra Williams. The duo was supported through digs by setter Julianne Guntang, making the set score 21-14. 

“I think that something I always try to do is to lead, so others can follow,” Gallegos said. “When I started to earn points for kills, my teammates were able to pull themselves together, even when I’m not on the court.” 

The Wranglers suffered from a string of errors which allowed the Golden Eagles to claim the second set 25-19. 

The third set allowed the teams to shine on both offense and defense. Neither team could separate themselves by more than one point until the Golden Eagles earned points for two aces by Bonilla. Despite suffering from a string of errors, the Golden Eagles claimed the third set 25-19.

The final set was a similar battle, with both teams going on scoring runs, making it unclear who the winners would be. Colvin stormed ahead with a 3-0 scoring run of aces, and Wranglers outside hitter Madison Farella earned points for four kills, making the set score 24-23. Bonilla’s match-determining kill clinched the Golden Eagles win, 25-23. 

“Bourgade plays together as a team. They play as if they want more,” Wranglers Coach Jamie Moon said. “And tonight? They got more.”

Santos recognized that the Golden Eagles’ teamwork and determination is what crowned them the match winners. 

“The girls brought their energy and toughness all the way to the end,” Santos said. “Even though some of the girls weren’t mentally all in today, they came out and fought, and got what they needed.” 

Bourgade Catholic will play at Chino Valley High School (1-11) at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The Wranglers host Scottsdale Christian (7-5) at 6 p.m Monday.