Anne-Marie Iemmolo is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism Student assigned to cover Bourgade Catholic High School for AZPreps365.com.

The Fountain Hills Falcons are preparing to compete in the Girls Volleyball 3A Conference Championship following their win against the Bourgade Catholic Golden Eagles on Wednesday night. 

During their last regular season game, the Falcons dominated on offense, defeating the Eagles 25-9, 25-5, 25-6. 

Prior to competing against the Eagles, the Falcons practiced diligently. The team’s objective for Wednesday’s game was to end their regular season on a high note. 

“We had a goal, and we achieved that goal with our point differential,” Falcons coach Olivia Long said.  

Long was impressed to see her team fiercely compete against the Golden Eagles.

“We're doing all the things we can to ensure that our skills out there are solid,” Long said.

Falcons senior Sophia Wickland scored back-to-back kills during the first set to help her team take control of the game. Wickland finished the match with four kills.

Falcons right-side hitter Bella Garman led her team in scoring, earning eight kills. Garman played alongside her sister and Falcons setter Kitrick Garman, who served two aces during the match.

As for the Golden Eagles, Wednesday’s game marked the end of the team’s 2023 season. The Golden Eagles (5-19, 4-8) will not advance to the 3A tournament. 

Team captain Alice Gallegos played her final match for the Eagles on Wednesday night. Gallegos, a senior outside hitter, finished the season with a total of 79 kills and 28 aces.

Golden Eagles outside hitter Kyra Williams was one of the top blockers in the conference, finishing the season with 73 blocks.

Instead of wearing their traditional jerseys, the Golden Eagles sported all pink for the team’s "pink out" night in support of Bourgade community members fighting breast cancer. 

Students and parents from Bourgade Catholic attended the final match to support a good cause and rally around the Eagles. As the team closed out their season, the Golden Eagles were surrounded by family and friends who supported them throughout the year. 

This was Golden Eagles coach Jesse Santos’ first year as head coach of the team. 

Despite the challenges he and his team faced throughout the season, Santos was happy to see the dynamic strengthen between his players. 

“The love and support from the girls and their families and the trust they have in me being their head coach here at Bourgade means a lot to me,”  Santos said. 

Santos advised his players not to give up following the tough loss. 

The coach is looking forward to begin training in the summer to prepare his team for the next season. Santos is also looking forward to introducing new players to the Golden Eagles as he continues expanding Bourgade’s volleyball program. 

With round one of the 3A conference championship beginning on Nov. 4, Long has started preparing the Falcons for competition. 

The Falcons (26-9 - 10-2) are currently ranked eighth in the conference. The team will compete in their first championship match during round one at 11 a.m. at Marcos de Niza High School.