Legacy spikes Division I title

All Ray Lewis ever wanted was a shot at running his own volleyball program.

So when the former Arbor View assistant coach was given the opportunity to take over Legacy’s program in 2013, he promised his players that by buying into his philosophy they could win a state championship.

On Wednesday, the Longhorns made good on Lewis’ promise, downing visiting Las Vegas 25-18, 25-20, 25-18 to win the Division I boys state title.

“I believe everything happens for a reason, and me landing here was fate,” Lewis said. “Landing with these kids and these athletes that bought into our system, they play hard and work hard every day, I couldn’t have been luckier.”

Led by Tanner Compton, who finished with 19 kills, four digs and three blocks, the Longhorns (28-3) seized control early in the first set and never relinquished the momentum.

“Hard work and countless hours the team and (Lewis) have put in, and it’s been our goal for two years,” Compton said. “Coach came in and instilled that mentality into us. If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be anywhere we are today. It’s been countless hours of intensity and preparation for this one goal. We’ve been working forever for this. I’m speechless.”

The Longhorns scored five straight points behind Compton’s serving to go up 14-8. The Wildcats (21-6) closed the gap at 16-13, but Compton’s tear-drop kill ignited another run, as Legacy eventually opened a 19-13 lead and cruised to the first set.

The second set was much of the same, as Legacy rattled off six straight points to turn a 9-8 deficit into a 14-9 lead. Las Vegas pulled within 19-18, but a four-point spree allowed the Longhorns to put away the set.

A 4-0 run midway through the third set produced a 15-10 lead and allowed Legacy to begin its final run to the title.

Trent Compton had 13 kills and four digs, and Braden Liu had 39 assists, three digs and two kills for Legacy. Zaire Franklin added five kills and five digs, and Jonah Tarlton had four kills and two blocks.

“From the beginning of the season, there was a mutual understanding that state was a goal,” Lewis said. “They were willing to play the roles they were given.”

DIVISION I-A

Just two years ago, Mojave’s boys volleyball program was considered a laughingstock.

Not anymore.

The Rattlers put their history of futility to rest by manhandling Clark 25-13, 25-9, 25-17 to win the championship match of the Division I-A state tournament at Desert Pines.

The title was the first for Mojave (20-4), which got 13 kills, two blocks and an ace from Matt Albinio.

Coach Erik Davis, who last season took over a Rattlers program that had only one win in two seasons, said the championship represented the attainment of a goal.

“This is phenomenal for us, obviously,” he said. “The team was a combined 1-31 in the prior two seasons before I came here, so our mantra all year has been to go from worst to first.”

There never was any doubt, as the Rattlers jumped to a 6-1 lead in the first set and rode several scoring spurts behind Albinio’s dominant offensive performance.

Albinio, who had five kills in the first set, logged six more in the second to help Mojave capitalize on a 6-0 run that made the score 15-5. The Rattlers cruised from there to take a 2-0 lead.

“I just wanted to stay focused and get the job done,” said Albinio, who used last season’s state final loss to Tech as motivation. “We felt that defeat last year, and we didn’t want to lose anymore.”

Jordan Glenn finished with 11 kills and two blocks for Mojave, and teammate Alex Carvalho had three of his seven kills in the final set.

Jose Sahagun led the Chargers (12-10) with two kills and two blocks.