Tommi Stockham had 24 kills, Taylor Jefferson added 18 kills and 13 digs, and the Gaels defeated Durango 25-18, 22-25, 25-13, 25-18 on Saturday in the Class 4A final.
Durango
Durango and Bishop Gorman will meet for the third time this season after posting three-set state semifinal wins at Faith Lutheran on Friday.
The Gaels weren’t as dominant as last season, but they’re back at the state tournament after winning the Desert Region. They’re joined at state by Durango and Palo Verde.
Tommi Stockham had 26 kills, and the Gaels claimed the Desert Region championship; Palo Verde started fast, put away Rancho in three sets for the Mountian Region crown.
The top-seeded Trail Blazers will meet No. 2 Bishop Gorman for the Desert Region championship. It’s No. 1 Palo Verde vs. No. 3 Rancho for the Mountain League crown.
Bishop Gorman, Green Valley, Liberty and Silverado hosting first-round games. Arbor View and Palo Verde meet with a Mountain Region home playoff game on the line.
Durango takes care of Foothill in three sets, while Palo Verde has its way with Arbor View. Bishop Gorman’s Stockham reaches 1,500 career kills in a win.
Rigo Carrasco scored twice for the top-seeded and defending state champion Wildcats in a 3-1 win. Desert Region No. 1 Bishop Gorman beat Desert Oasis to stay unbeaten.
Centennial needs a win over a Cimarron-Memorial team that is out of the playoff race to claim its first league title since 2002 and the No. 1 seed in the Northwest League.
Martin Blake ran for 113 yards and a touchdown and returned a punt for a score to help the Pioneers to a 48-7 Southeast League win over Eldorado.