Nicholas Barker is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Washington High School for AZPreps365.com

It was senior night for the Glendale High Cardinals, but at the end of the day, it was the Washington High Rams that were celebrating on the opposing team's home court.

The Rams stormed into the packed gym at Glendale High and handed the Cardinals its eighth straight loss Tuesday. The Rams won three of the four sets.

The game was delayed slightly to introduce the senior Cardinals, but that did not stop the Rams from coming out strong and taking the opening set. It was a back-and-forth set, but it was ultimately decided when the Rams won the last two points to win it 25-23. Rams head coach Shaundra Stanley expressed the importance of winning the first set.

“It sets the tone for the rest of the match,” Stanley said. “Winning the first set gives them confidence that if they keep doing what they are doing, it will work out for them.”

It was not the best match from either side, as it was littered with unforced errors, missed serves and miscommunication.

Washington and Glendale both came into the final match on large losing streaks. The Rams entered the match on a six-game losing streak, while the Cardinals entered the match on a seven-game losing streak. The Rams, which finished the season 2-14, were able to finish the season with the win, and Stanley was proud of her group of girls.

“It always feels good to end the season on a win, but sometimes the record really doesn’t show what’s going on in the program,” said Stanley. “We are happy to end on a win.”

The second set of the match was back and forth as well, and when the score was tied at 18-18, the Rams won seven of the next eight points to win the set 25-19. When it came down to the extremely important points, the Rams players were able to calm their nerves.

The Rams were up 25-24 in the third set with a chance to win the whole match, but it was Glendale who was able to fight off the match point and win the next two to steal the third set 27-25.

The Rams were able to regroup quickly, and they won the fourth set in convincing fashion, 25-15. The Rams' Rebeca Jimenez was happy with the performance.

“I feel [the match] went well. We could have done better, and it was a really close game,” said Jimenez. “But I had fun.”

Senior Riziki Deogratias, playing in her last match for Washington, was also happy with how the match ended.

“I am a senior, so it felt great, and it was really exciting,” said Deogratias. “I played all four years, so it seems like it finally worked out playing this year.

“I feel like we really worked good as a team, and we were able to make a family bond. I am going to miss them and I am happy I played this year.”