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.
Jason Orts
Former Nevada Preps coordinator
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.
Centennial running back Jordan Smith rushed for 226 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries Friday night as the Bulldogs advanced to the region semifinals.
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 Crusaders enter the state tournament in Reno as the Mountain Region champions with an unbeaten record and a team full of skilled, versatile players.
The Wildcats will have to take the long road if they want to win another Class 4A state champion. Regional champions Eldorado and Bishop Gorman also have title ambitions.
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.
Jaquelin Robinson had 10 kills and seven digs for Durango, which advanced to meet Bishop Manogue in the second round of the state tournament Thursday.
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.
Audrey Boch-Collins holds on for a 6-0, 6-4 win over Palo Verde’s Caroline Lemcke, becomes the first player in Nevada history with four state singles titles.
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.