Mats clinch Region I title
Arizona Western takes down yavapai in five sets to earn district Championship berth
The stage was set between Arizona Western and Yavapai.
Win-or-go-home. Wednesday’s winner was headed to the District Championship, while the losing team’s season would come to an end.
And it took every bit of five sets to crown the Region I Final champion inside “The House.”
It came down to which team would maximize their adjustments, and the Matadors were able to twist their approach just enough to outlast the Roughriders by the scores of 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 16-25 and 15-10.
“Statistically, it’s really hard to come back to win set five if you haven’t won set four,” said AWC head coach Lorayne Chandler. “But I think the girls did a good job of recognizing what was at stake and how bad they wanted it. And it showed up in the final set.”
It’s the Matadors’ (17-7, 11-3 ACCAC) third Region I title under Chandler, but she expressed the effort of her team is the only reason why AWC is headed to the District Championship.
“There’s nothing better than getting a chance to be in this position,” said Chandler. “I certainly couldn’t have done it without the hard work from these girls. I have to give them all the credit.”
Wednesday’s contest was the fourth meeting between AWC and Yavapai this season. The Roughriders (1413,
Yavapai on Wednesday night inside “The House.” 8-6) entered with a 2-1 could control.” advantage, including being Arizona Western’s offense victorious over the Matadors revolves around last Friday to end the outside hitter, and All-ACCAC regular season. But when First Team selection, it mattered the most, Chandler’s Anny Montano. And despite team earned the win. her team-leading 12
“Playing at home is a kills in Wednesday’s win, huge advantage for us,” the Roughriders’ defense said Chandler. “We love wiped out AWC’s outside the crowd that comes out. attack on both sides of the And it’s feeding off (their floor – especially in set energy). The girls honed in four. and made sure nothing else Chandler’s answer? Attack affected this current game. the middle half of the And I think the girls did a net. good job of recognizing that The plan worked to perfection and doing everything they on the opening play
of the fifth set. Contanza Silva delivered a rocket past the Yavapai defense. From there, it was all Matadors.
“We changed up our lineup,” said Chandler. “I think the little tweak of switching our outside and how they rotated was a big adjustment for us.”
Daniella Jiminez rattled off nine kills, while Tylor Iosua, who recorded the game-winning block, finished with eight kills.
Natalia Slazynska, the Region I Final Most Valuable
Player, tallied 23 assists, four aces and three kills. She also had nine digs.
“She can do a little bit of everything,” said Chandler. “She’s calm, cool and collected. She never gets too razzled.”
The Matadors now sit back and wait to find out their District Championship opponent.