Northwest Christian captures 3A state title

Phoenix Northwest Christian beat Chandler Arizona College Prep in straight sets and in dominating fashion to win the 3A state volleyball title on Saturday.

Both Northwest Christian, the No. 3 seed, and Arizona College Prep, the No. 5 seed, scored upsets in the semifinals to make it to the final stage of the tournament at Tempe High.

Northwest Christian rolled in the first set winning 25-11. Six-footers Reagan Hope, Zoe Dalessandri and Mckenzie Wise controlled the net and racked up kills.

“Last year we lost in the semis, so our goal at the start of the year was to win state,” Hope said.

The lopsided match continued early in the second set. Northwest Christian built a six-point lead. Arizona College Prep and Tendall Weigand cut into the deficit, forcing Northwest Christian to call a timeout, but the Crusaders pulled away, winning the set 25-18.

“I told them we needed to stay aggressive and true to who we are. If we play passive, we lose,” said coach Jenna Hope, Reagan’s mother.

The third set was all but a formality. Northwest Christian jumped out to a 15-1 lead, as Arizona College Prep struggled to find any offense against the opponent’s wall of rangy defenders.

Reagan Hope was the star of the third set. The sophomore captain lunged to the floor, digging serves and returns only to immediately pop back up to her feet and deliver kills.

“She’s such a competitor and loves big games,” Jenna said about Reagan. “It was very special to watch her play.”

Northwest Christian won the third and final set 25-12.

Scottsdale Christian repeats in 2A

Scottsdale Christian Academy’s volleyball team had one goal in mind: Defend its state title.

Scottsdale Christian had already faced Glendale Prep in the regular season, and it had swept Glendale Prep 3-0.

But Scottsdale Christian’s players didn’t let the victory get in their head. They knew they had to go out and play hard to defend the 2A title.

On Saturday, playing hard is exactly what Scottsdale Christian did in sweeping Glendale Prep 3-0 again to win the 2A championship.

In the first set, Scottsdale Christian won in a dominating fashion, defeating Glendale Prep 25-10.

Glendale Prep didn’t let the first set discourage it. The Griffins came out hungry in the second set and played their hearts out, but unfortunately fell short in a nail-biting 25-23 back-andforth battle.

“We just knew the other team, they were going to come out strong, but we knew we could come out stronger and what our capabilities were,” senior Lauren Ohlinger said. “We just played the hardest we could.”

In the third set, Scottsdale Christian walked onto the court looking determined and confident.

Jumping out to a 19-8 lead in the third set, the Eagles’ excitement could be felt throughout the gym. It wasn’t much longer before Scottsdale Christian had defended its state title, defeating the Glendale Prep Griffins 25-14 in set three.

Coach Kim Ohlinger said winning a second consecutive state title was a monumental accomplishment, especially for the two seniors on the team.

“It’s a gift,” Ohlinger said. “They’ve blessed my life these last few years.”

Mogollon breaks through for 1A title

Heber Mogollon’s was on a mission.

After two consecutive years of finishing second in the Conference 1A state tournament, the objective was simple: Beat St, David, the 2016 champs, in the final, and beat them quickly.

That’s exactly what Mogollon did on Saturday at Tempe High, topping St. David in three sets and winning the title.

Both teams entered the match with only one loss on the season.

Mogollon had the taller team and played like it early in the match. Senior Lauren Hancock and junior Jillie Maner were terrors at the net, blocking and killing shots, helping their team win the first set 25-19.

In the second set, St. David jumped out to a 16-10 lead. Then, Maner took over. She controlled the net and was the focal point of Mogollon’s attack and defense. Every set went toward her. Every St. David spike, she obstructed or blocked.

“We wouldn’t be here without coach Valerie Reynolds said. Mogollon won the second set 25-22. Coming onto the court to start the third set, St. David looked flat, demoralized. Mogollon appeared energized and excited, but not anxious.

St. David’s Daisy Merrill and Jaylin Richardson fought hard to bring their team back in the third set. Girls on both teams dove all over the court. The ball hit off of their flailing arms, flew through the air and bounced off the low-hanging ceiling of the Tempe High gym and back into play.

In the end, Mogollon won the set 2725, the match and the state title.

“This is the perfect ending,” Hancock said. “You have no idea.” volleyball team her,”