Volleyball makes a good state run
Photo Credit: John Magana
Tatum Hartwig
November 19, 2009
Filed under Sports
The Lady Aztecs volleyball team defied the odds by making it to the 5A-I State Championship match against the reigning state champions and No. 1 ranked Xavier Gators. The Aztecs were ranked No. 11 for the playoffs, but they managed to take down the No. 6 Mountain Pointe Pride, No. 3 Desert Vista Thunder and No. 2 Gilbert Tigers.
The Aztecs and Gators faced off at Brophy College Preparatory’s Robson Gymnasium on Nov. 18. Fans from both schools turned out in huge numbers and filled the stands with bright orange and royal blue.
Within the first game of the match, seniors Katherine Gatz, Bethany Jorgensen and Cassie Ronda managed to pass through Xavier’s blockers several times to get the kill, but ultimately the game would be lost at match point by a call from the referee off a Corona player touching the net and therefore giving the Gators the point for a final score of 25-9.
The Aztecs came back in the second game and continued to be led by Gatz, Jorgensen and Ronda in kills and even an ace from Gatz, but the Gators would once again take the lead in points and win the second game 25-12.
By the start of the third game, fans from both sides were riled up and starting cheers to distract one another. This truly set the tone as the Gators would only have to win one more game to take home the title of State Champions. The Lady Aztecs started off strong and gained a lead over Xavier with the help of their seniors and an ace from sophomore Cassie Fish. But the Gators came back and regained their lead to finish the third and final game with a score of 25-15.
The Xavier Gators won their third consecutive 5A-I State Championship as well as wrapping up their claim to a total fall sports sweep by winning the title in every fall sport. As a reward, the Xavier students will be receiving a day off of school in celebration.
Although the Aztecs did not win the state title, they did not come home empty handed. They received the state runner-up title and trophy, a first for the Aztecs since they last played against Xavier in the state championship match back in 2006.
