Laney Napoli is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arizona College Preparatory High School for AZPreps365.com.

After five sets of back-and-forth play, Arizona College Prep lost to Eastmark at home Thursday. Arizona College Prep gave fans hope with two comebacks in the second and fourth sets, but lost to region rival Eastmark in five, 18-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 10-15. 

The fans were on the edge of their seats after Arizona College Prep answered each of Eastmark's winning sets with one of its own. 

Arizona College Prep and Eastmark are conference rivals in the 4A East Sky division with Eastmark sitting as the No. 1 seed. 

“We have a lot of strong teams in this region, and every time you let up against a region opponent it’s a little bit of a rivalry,” head coach Michael Shannon said. “We have three to four other teams in this region and when we play it’s a rivalry.” 

Arizona College Prep will face another conference rival Oct. 11 at home against 9-12 Poston Butte.

The Knights’ first comeback came in the second set after losing a close first set, mounting an unanswered six-point run to tie the game. 

After a timeout called by head coach Mike Shannon the Knights went on an unanswered offensive run to tie the game after being down 13-19.

The offense scored six unanswered points tying, what looked to be, an easy win for Eastmark.

This small victory did not come free, as Eastmark returned with vengeance in the third set holding the Knight’s to 13 points.

With the third match in Eastmark’s favor, and after a dominating third set, the Knights trailed 1-2 going into what could have been their final match of the night. 

The Knights came out with a goal in mind, and in their fourth, with a few errors from Eastmark players, led the set 24-10.

This was the Knights' most significant lead over Eastmark the entire match.

With a final score of 25-13 Arizona College Prep and Eastmark went into their fifth and final set where Eastmark took a quick lead and produced a solid win at 15-10. Eastmark won, 3-2. 

The Knights have to prepare for another conference rivalry next week and the possibility of another five-set match could be their reality.

“Make sure everyone is engaged,” setter Ella Pallegi said. “Make eye contact with everyone and make sure they’re listening.” 

Pallagi, Arizona College Prep’s starting setter, wanted to keep her team motivated throughout the five sets where both teams could never feel too comfortable.

Teammate Kendall Story also mentioned how the team's condition and physical abilities can be improved upon when looking toward their opponents next week. 

The Knights will have 10 days to prepare.

“I just know we’re going to get the next one,” Story said. “I think it will give the whole team a lot more competitiveness and drive. Just kind of like a personal vengeance to win the next one.”