TUSD Girls’ Volleyball Invitational

Sept. 2-3: Palo Verde High School

 

Sahuaro went undefeated to capture the championship of the TUSD Girls Volleyball Invitational held at Palo Verde High School of Friday and Saturday. Sahuaro withstood a difficult semifinal match against Rincon/University before defeating Sabino 2-0 (25-14, 25-15) in the final match.

Rincon/UHS led Sahuaro late in the third set of the semifinal match but the Cougars went on to take the deciding set 15-13. The loss sent the Rangers to the Elimination Bracket where they  faced Sabino.

The Sabercats only won four matches last year - a far cry from the powerhouse team from 2010 that finished 37-4 with a state semifinal appearance - so it was a bit of a surprise to see the team playing this deep into invitational. It appears a new coach was all it took to get a proud program back on track.

Courtney Pehl took over a struggling program on Freeport, Illinois in 2012 and quickly turned it into a regional contender. According to reports, Aquin High School won 22 matches in her first year coaching. It was the first time the school had broken 20 wins since 2006 and she went on to lead them to a regional final.

Pehl went 49-19 in her two years with the school including a record 27 wins in 2013. She hopes to do something similar with Sabino.

“When I got here parents told me we had the talent but they just needed some guidance,” Pehl explained. “These girls are determined to prove themselves.

“I’ve coached in a similar situation and I hope to come here and do the same,” she added. “The way we played today is a reflection of our hard work.”

Sabino and Rincon played to a 1-1 tie, forcing a third set once again. Rincon led the final set 13-10 but Sabino scored five straight points to take it 15-13.

There would be no magic in the championship match against Sahuaro with Cougar hitters Madi Nash and Brielle Sterns leading the team to the sweep in the final. The duo combined for 13 kills in the first set alone.

“I have to give all credit to my sister (Morgan),” Madi said. “She gave me really good sets and is the one responsible for everything I do on the court.”

Morgan Nash finished with 25 assists while Madi had nine kills. Sterns finished with eight. Leah McAdams had 10 assists for Sabino while Carissa Spalt had four kills.

Nogales defeated Walden Grove 2-0 (25-13, 25-14)  to win the Blue Bracket.

The Flowing Wells Invitational will take place next weekend.

 

POOL PLAY

Desert Christian over Catalina 2-0

Palo Verde over Santa Rita 2-0

Sahuaro over Desert Christian 2-0

Tanque Verde over Palo Verde 2-0

Desert Christian over Santa Rita 2-0

Palo Verde over Catalina 2-0

Canyon del Oro over Seton Catholic 2-1

Catalina over Santa Rita 2-0

Sahuaro over Tanque Verde 2-0

Desert Christian over Palo Verde 2-0

Sabino over Amphi 2-0

Cholla over Sunnyside 2-0

Nogales over Desert View 2-0

Cibola over Rio Rico 2-0

Tucson over Cibola 2-0

Rincon/UHS over Nogales 2-0

Sabino over Pueblo 2-0

Cholla over Walden Grove 2-0

Nogales over Amphi 2-0

Pueblo over Desert View 2-0

Walden Grove over Rio Rico 2-1

Desert View over Amphi 2-0

Cholla over Tucson 2-1

Rio Rico over Sunnyside 2-1

Rincon/UHS over Sabino 2-0

Pueblo over Nogales 2-0

Cibola over Walden Grove 2-0

 

GOLD BRACKET

Pueblo over Desert Christian

Rincon over Cibola

Tanque Verde over Cholla

Sahuaro over Pueblo

Sabino over Tucson

Tucson over Desert Christian

Cholla over Tucson

Pueblo over Cibola

Rincon over Tanque Verde

Sahuaro over Sabino

Sabino over Cholla

Tanque Verde over Pueblo

Sahuaro over Rincon

Sabino over Tanque Verde

Sabino over Rincon, 2-1

 

CHAMPIONSHIP
Sahuaro over Sabino, 2-0 (25-14, 25-15)

 

BLUE BRACKET

Nogales over Sunnyside

Walden Grove over Catalina

Amphi over Santa Rita

Palo Verde over Amphi

Rio Rico over Desert View

Desert View over Santa Rita

Catalina over Desert View

Sunnyside over Amphi

Nogales over Walden Grove

Palo Verde over Rio Rico

Rio Rico over Catalina

Walden Grove over Sunnyside

Walden Grove over Rio Rico

Nogales over Palo Verde

Walden Grove over Palo Verde

 

CHAMPIONSHIP

Nogales over Walden Grove, 2-0 (25-13, 25-14)