Emily Paulson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Valley Vista High School for AZPreps365.com

SURPRISE - The Valley Vista girls volleyball team won in thrilling fashion Monday, beating Shadow Ridge in five sets at home, 25-27, 25-15, 25-19, 20-25, 15-9. 

The Monsoon took an early lead, winning two of the first three sets,  but it all came down to a loud, energetic fifth set to get the win.

“They thrive on that,” Valley Vista coach David Chavez said. “But, again, they are high school kids, so it’s like a roller coaster.”

The Monsoon home crowd chanted “Valley Vista” before the fifth set, strengthening their team’s fuel to win. Valley Vista harnessed the noise of the packed gym to take the lead at the beginning of the fifth set, going up 6-5, before the Stallions called a timeout. 

“Everyone was excited,” senior middle hitter Isabella Brewer said. “We were all on our tippy-toes and it’s really exciting when we have the bleachers out and having everyone come watch us play.”

The momentum in Valley Vista’s favor didn’t last long as the Stallions took the lead 8-6 coming out of their timeout, forcing the Monsoon to take a timeout.

“We had the lead, they called timeout and then they got the lead,” Chavez said. “I said, that’s not the way you come out of a timeout so I called timeout and we got the lead so I told them that’s how you come out of a timeout.”

The Monsoon never looked back after regaining the lead coming out of their timeout, with senior outside hitter Marielle Ramos playing a big part in the set. Ramos served during their 5-0 run in the fifth set to take an 11-8 lead. She accounted for seven aces and 15 kills in the match.

“That was a big turning point for us, and that says a lot about their character and who they are,” Chavez said. “I think a lot has to do with Shadow being young, and we have seven seniors, so that certainly helped us out a lot.”

The Valley Vista seniors came through in a big way, with outside hitter Brynn Golba having four kills in the fifth set, tallying for 13 kills in the game and seven aces. Brewer added six kills for the Monsoon.

Valley Vista’s momentum carried them to victory, taking the fifth set, 15-9. The Monsoon used their experience to their advantage over the young Stallions team. Despite the tough night and hard-fought battle, Shadow Ridge coach Troy Sherman was proud of his team.

“This team hasn’t competed very well against Valley Vista, and they’re our rival,” Sherman said. “I am proud of them for continuing to get back into the competition and continuing to try to win. They didn’t fold at any time, and we gave ourselves an opportunity.”

Valley Vista (12-17, 4-0) will travel to Perry (15-13, 1-1) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Shadow Ridge (10-12, 3-2) will host Gila Ridge (2-9) on Wednesday at 6 p.m.