Notre Dame Prep lost against Sunrise Mountain High School Thursday despite a home court advantage with a loud student section. The Sunrise Mountain Mustangs won in four games.

Notre Dame Prep and Sunrise Mountain both started out this season with a change. Notre Dame Prep announced that their new varsity head coach position would be taken over by former assistant coach Amanda Burbridge.

“Our team has been in a good rhythm lately,” Burbridge said before the loss to Sunrise Mountain.

The Saints defeated Higley High School at home on Tuesday in three straight games.

“Our first home game was not our best performance even though we won,” Burbridge had said, looking forward to a new and bigger opponent.

The Mustangs were scrappy, keeping the match close throughout.

The Saints and Mustangs were tied 25-25 with middle back Madi Harris up to serve.  Set one ended in a point for the Mustangs setter, with a final score of 27-25.

For being in a new division, the Mustangs kept fighting and only improving their energy throughout the match. Paige Harmann was up to serve at game point, leading the Mustangs to a win the second with an ace.

The Saints, eager to get their energy back brought fire to the third set. The team played scrappy with strong serves and kills, resulting in a game win of 25-18.

High energy levels and tough scrappy smart play sparked Set 4. The game was neck and neck with high, aggressive communication, but the set ended 25-22, with the Mustangs taking home the match win.

Sunrise Mountain takes on their new challenge this season, entering a new division with tougher competition.

Before the match started, Sunrise Mountain senior Courtney Luxton said, “We are excited to see how our team does going against a higher-level team.”

The Mustangs have not had a steady start to their season, going into tonight’s match 5-4. The Mustangs did just win their most recent game on Tuesday night in four sets, defeating Willow Canyon High School.

“Our communication is the probably the biggest goal for our game tonight,” senior Megan Flory said. “As well as being able to move the ball around and playing the way we play, not down to anyone else’s level.”

The Saints played well but will definitely have some things to work on the remainder of this week in practice before their next home game on Monday against McClintock High School.  

“Attacking and using new shots will be something we work on,” Burbridge said. “as well as new rotations and siding out quicker.”