The Sedona Red Rock Scorpions took a loss to the BASIS Phoenix Firebirds in straight sets on Sept. 18, and brought the Scorpions’ record to 4-1.
The Scorpions brought the sting to start the first set with senior Amy Brefeld getting the first point with a strong block. The Scorpions carried on this momentum and, with three errors by the Firebirds, the Scorpions were up 4-0 at the start of the first set.
The Firebirds countered with a few good plays of their own and quickly tied the game at 4-4. The Firebirds had no intention of taking their foot off of the gas and, after a fourpoint run were up 10-6.
The Scorpions were not ready to give up just yet. Senior Sierra Williams executed two perfect spikes, bringing the Scorpions back into the game and, with another error by the Firebirds, the score was tied at 10.
After a few back-and-forth rallies, the Scorpions were down 17-21. Sedona Coach John Parks called a timeout; however, the pause wasn’t effective, and he called timeout just three points later. The lack of communication on the team lost the Scorpions the first set 25-14.
The Scorpions were experimenting with a new rotation, with the addition of junior Milana Ovcharenko.
“I keep mixing things up,” Parks said when asked about the struggles with rotation. “I like to get the lineup set, but I’m still looking for people to step up and take spots and nobody really has yet. I wish I could have a set rotation for everybody right now so they can get a little bit more comfortable. But people need to step up and earn their spot.”
The second set started poorly for the Scorpions, as they were down 10-2 early on. But the Firebirds gave the Scorpions an avenue to earn four points off errors, making it 13-6.
The Scorpions used this to their advantage and built on this momentum, with senior Katrina Le starring in the Scorpions’ mid-set comeback, earning three brilliant aces. She was not the only contributor, as Brefeld assisted with a dump and Williams with another fabulous spike.
Just as it got close, the Firebirds started to pick up again, going on a five-point run, making the score 18-13. Parks called a timeout but to no avail — the Firebirds kept dominating and the set ended with the Scorpions losing 25-15, down two sets for the game.
“They got a hot server and we simply couldn’t pass the ball,” Parks said.
The final set began similarly to the second set, with another slow start. The Scorpions were down 4-0 early. Junior Addie Moore brought the Scorpions back with a hard spike and Brefeld found the gap in the Firebirds’ defense perfectly, making the score 4-2.
However, after some close calls, the Firebirds went on another four-point run, resulting in a 10-4 score.
Parks called a timeout to try and get the Scorpions back into the game. Although the timeout helped bring the Scorpions closer, with an ace by junior Sheila Montes de Oca and multiple errors by the Firebirds, the 12-9 score was the closest the Scorpions would come to retaking a lead for the rest of the match.
For the rest of the game it was all about the Firebirds, who went on a four-point run to raise the score to 17- 10. Although the Scorpions were able to score one point, the Firebirds proceeded to score the next six points, reaching 23-11, and eventually winning the set 25-14 and the match in straight sets.
The Scorpions’ passing was lacking and each player seemed to make one or two mental mistakes, leading to players being out of position, which are controllable issues.
“We need to keep practicing on good mechanics. Some of it’s mental and some of it’s physical stuff, and some of it’s just being in the right position. It takes time but we will get there,” Parks said.
The Scorpions’ next home game will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m., when the Scorpions will be taking on the Anthem Prep Eagles, who have a 7-5 record.
