Mogollon breaks through against St. David, wins 1A volleyball state title

Nate Fain
Arizona Republic
Mogollon won the 1A volleyball state championship on Saturday, Nov. 3.

Heber Mogollon's volleyball team was on a mission.

After two consecutive years of finishing second in the 1A state tournament, the objective was simple: Beat St, David, the 2016 champs, in the final, and beat them quickly. 

That's exactly what Mogollon did on Saturday at Tempe High, topping St. David in three sets and winning the title.

Both teams entered the match with only one loss on the season. 

Mogollon had the taller team and played like it early in the match. Senior Lauren Hancock and junior Jillie Maner were terrors at the net, blocking and killing shots, helping their team win the first set 25-19. 

In the second set, St. David jumped out to a 16-10 lead. Then, Maner took over. She controlled the net and was the focal point of Mogollon's attack and defense. Every set went toward her. Every St. David spike, she obstructed or blocked.

"We wouldn't be here without her," coach Valerie Reynolds said.

Mogollon won the second set 25-22.

Coming onto the court to start the third set, St. David looked flat, demoralized. Mogollon appeared energized and excited, but not anxious.

St. David's Daisy Merrill and Jaylin Richardson fought hard to bring their team back in the third set. Girls on both teams dove all over the court. The ball hit off of their flailing arms, flew through the air and bounced off the low-hanging ceiling of the Tempe High gym and back into play. 

In the end, Mogollon won the set 27-25, the match and the state title. 

"We needed to win that third set because the energy was in our direction," Reynolds said. "This what we'd been working for all year."

"This is the perfect ending," Hancock said. "You have no idea."

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