Grayson Nykaza is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Westwood High School for AZPreps365.

Westwood's girls volleyball team opened up the Tournament of Champions with a close game against Boulder Creek, but they ultimately fell in three sets, 25-23, 24-26, 11-15.

That first set against the Jaguars was the only one Westwood won during group play. They lost their next three matches to Hamilton, Desert Ridge and Deer Valley.

Hamilton ended up going undefeated and finished in first place in the group stage. They quickly disposed of Westwood in their game, winning the first set 25-15 and the second set 25-11. The Huskies have had a stellar season, coming into the tournament having only lost one set all year. Their front line, anchored by seniors Kyra McCain and India Rhodes, led the way. 

Against Desert Ridge, Westwood nearly won the second set before falling 25-23. Desert Ridge, which won the first set, 25-19,  was carried by captain Amanda Jonovich, but they ultimately lost to Deer Valley when Jonovich’s final serve fell out in the third set.  

In Westwood’s final game against Deer Valley, both sets were close with the Warriors losing 21-25, 23-25. Deer Valley opened up the second set hot when junior Avery Dunn served a six-point run at the start of the match. Westwood did fight back and make it close, but the Warriors were unsuccessful.

Ultimately the tournament didn’t go the way Westwood had hoped but the players appeared to stay positive. Head coach Barbara Drake said she told the girls, “High school sports are 90% about having fun.” She also said that “You won’t remember every game you win or lose but you’ll remember going out and having fun.”

The Tournament of Champions came to an end when the Perry Pumas defeated the Highland Hawks, 25-21, 23-25, 15-11, in the Gold Medal Bracket.  Perry senior Tatum Stall won All-Tournament MVP. She is currently committed to play volleyball at Utah State University.

The Warriors' next game will come Tuesday against the Shadow Ridge Stallions (1-4) in Surprise.