Bishop Gorman and Liberty will meet for the Desert Region championship Friday night. The Mountain Region semifinals match Palo Verde-Centennial and Arbor View-Desert Pines.
Palo Verde
Palo Verde never trailed in a 41-23 win over Las Vegas on Friday, and Canyon Springs turned a botched field-goal attempt into a winning touchdown to stun Arbor View 24-20.
Kennedi Steele had 22 kills and 18 digs, and the Trailblazers shook off early errors to rally from two sets down and reach the Class 4A state tournament semifinals.
The Mountain Region playoffs begin Friday, and none of the higher seeds expect an easy quarterfinal matchup — not even the league champions who are facing No. 4 seeds.
Liberty, Gorman look to keep rolling in the Desert Region semifinals, while the Mountain Region playoffs begin with intriguing quarterfinal matchups.
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.
The Centennial boys claimed their second straight Class 4A state championship, while the Coronado girls earned their second crown in school history.
Canyon Springs got off to an 0-6 start against a difficult schedule, but the Pioneers enter the Mountain Region playoffs with confidence after three straight wins.
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.
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.
Centennial beats Arbor View 2-1, advances to face No. 1 Faith Lutheran. Desert Region No. 1 Coronado blanks two-time defending 4A state champion Bishop Gorman 3-0.
The Palo Verde boys defeated Coronado 10-2 to win their fourth straight title. The girls doubled up Coronado 10-5 to end the Cougars’ hopes of a third straight crown.
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.