Koby Mitchell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Bourgade Catholic High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX -- Washington snapped a four-game losing streak with a four-set win over Bourgade Catholic on Thursday, 25-13, 25-15, 21-25, 25-21. 

Outside hitter Jazmyn Stevenson led the charge for the Rams. The senior amassed a game-high 17 kills and seven aces,

“She is amazing, on and off the court,” Washington coach Taylor Dunn said. “She is a leader for this team and is someone we can always count on to put the ball away, make big plays and set the momentum.” 

Stevenson has been paramount to the Rams this season. She leads the team with 115 kills, 19 aces and 140 digs.

“The key to my success is making sure that I stay motivated during hard times,” Stevenson said. “I just try to push through my frustrations and go back to my fundamentals that I’ve learned.”

It was Senior Night at Bourgade Catholic. The gym was packed and the crowd was roaring,

“I made sure that I kept my teammates motivated and communicated more than I usually do because it was very loud,” Stevenson said. “I made sure we kept our energy up just so we could match their energy and fight back.” 

After dropping the opening two sets, the Golden Eagles stormed back. Bourgade coach Jesse Santos called a timeout late in the third set, his group trailing 20-17,

“I left it with them,” Santos said. “I was calling the game for the first two sets and as a coach I was like, man, it’s not working. So I made them adjust and made them do what they had to do.”

Bourgade went on an emphatic 7-0 run and won the set, 25-21, sending the crowd into a frenzy,

“The environment tonight and their enthusiasm helped them pick it up,” Santos said.

Bourgade honored nine graduating seniors. One of whom was middle hitter Kyra Williams. She led the Golden Eagles with 13 kills, five blocks and six aces,

“This is her year to shine and she’s shining,” Santos said. “The team needs her and she needs her team as well to do what she has to do.” 

Williams leads the team with 65 kills, 39 blocks and a 0.179 hitting percentage this season. 

The Golden Eagles made it close in the fourth set but couldn’t notch its first victory of the season. Bourgade hopes to find themselves in the win column on Monday versus San Tan Foothills,

“I think it’s a great matchup from what I watch on film,” Santos said. “We have to minimize our mistakes, and have confidence in everything we do to get the ball into play.” 

As for the Rams, they will seek revenge in their next match against Independence, a team that swept them in the final week of September,

“I always have a killer mindset,”  Stevenson said. “I’m gonna go out there and stay aggressive.”

Washington (4-8) will travel to Independence (7-4) on Oct. 15 at 6 p.m.

Bourgade (0-8) will host San Tan Foothills (3-9) Monday at 6 p.m.