Oops, we did it again…paraphrasing Brittney Spears (ewww), THE number one ranked 4A-II Viking Volleyball team returned from Cactus Shadows with another tournament victory under their belts. Saturday, Sunnyslope defeated Greenway (25-20, 25-12) and Catalina Foothills (25-17, 25-11) in pool play, earning one of the spots in the Gold Division. The Vikings then defeated Tucson Sabino (25-19, 25-17) in the semi-finals to advance to the finals against old nemesis Scottsdale Arcadia High School. Fine bench play by Sarah Krietor, Marena Canese, and Sam Sarager, helped lead the Vikings to the finals against Arcadia. Arcadia, in the finals of the Sunrise Mountain tournament two weeks ago, were pumped up to face off with Vikings.
In the first game of the finals, powerful serves and timely hitting staked Arcadia to an early lead. Both teams battled as the Vikings, lead by All-tournament selections Katie Meyers and Emma Ridley, kept the Titans from getting too far ahead. With the score tied at 17, all-tournament pick Sarah Johnson’s fine defense and the passing of Jessie Listar-Guest helped Sunnyslope eke out a close victory 25-21. In the second game it was all Sunnyslope all the time. Caelen Hiller and Laurann Durbins’ fine play at the net helped to set the tone for this game. The Vikings jumped out to 10-4 lead. Arcadia came back with a mini-run of their own to trail 12-8, but Teal Sanderson and Cassandra Burruel stymied any comeback attempt the Titans had with some well-timed blocks and powerful kills. The final score was Sunnyslope 25, Arcadia 12, and the championship of the Cactus Shadows Tournament was theirs.
This week the Vikings travel to Washington on Tuesday and Bradshaw Mountain in Prescott Valley on Thursday. The team leaves school early on Thursday so they can make the climb to Prescott Valley. Also, Saturday, is the Outback Steakhouse Fundraiser. Outback Steakhouse (I-17 just south of Dunlap) is graciously opening up early to help the volleyball team. Check with the volleyball players for further instructions.
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Tournament stats: cstourn.html
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By: R. Morris on Monday, September 25, 2006.
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Volleyball •
The number one ranked 4A-II Sunnyslope Vikings Volleyball team started off the 2006 season with impressive victories over top flight competition. On Tuesday the Vikings traveled to Tucson to take on the Nighthawks of Ironwood Ridge. Led by 2005 all-state players Katie Meyers and Emma Ridley, Sunnyslope took down a scrappy Ironwood Ridge squad 3 games to 0 in the new best of five varsity format. The scores were 25-21, 25-17, 25-23. As much as having two all-staters play for the Vikings is nice, their depth is equally impressive. Seniors Sarah Johnson and Jessi Lister-Guest provide all round play and leadership to a Viking squad that only has 4 seniors. Sarah led the Vikings in digs and Jessi’s all round play helped stave off any comeback attempts Ironwood Ridge thought they had.
On Thursday it was mano y mano, imprenetrable force verse immovable object, clash of the titans number one verse uh, number one. The Chaparral Firebirds, ranked number one in 4A Division 1 came into the Vikings gym to take on the number one ranked 4A - division 2 team, looking for revenge for last years defeat at the hands of Sunnyslope at the Firebirds gym.
Both teams started out nervous, as play was a little sloppy in the beginning. The Firebirds took advantage of some late Sunnyslope mistakes to take the first game 25-21. The Vikings tighten up their defense in the second game and with some timely kills by Caelen Hiller and Cassandra Burruel, powered past the Firebirds 25-17.
In the third game it was might against might, as both the Sunnyslope and Chaparral squads played to their strengths. Both teams brought good serving and powerful kills at each other untill the Vikings prevailed 25-23. In the fourth and final game, Sunnyslope’s depth and conditioning helped the Vikings pull away for a 25-18 victory and a match win. This win brings the Vikings record 2-0 on the young season.
Next week the Vikings play at home on Tuesday, and at Thunderbird High School on Thursday. Then next Friday and Saturday the Vikings play in the Sunrise Mountain Tournament. Times for the tournament to be announced.
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By: R. Morris on Saturday, September 02, 2006.
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