NIAA STATE SEMIFINAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Shadow Ridge 3, Las Vegas 0 (25-20, 28-26, 25-23)

The state semi-final started with some real electricity in the gym and soon translated into some jitters on both sides of the net.  Each team settled down and there was quite a bit of quality volleyball.  The two squads streaked back and forth with one team getting a lead and the other battling back to tie.  At the first timeout Shadow Ridge was up 12-6 only to see Las Vegas battle back to tie the score at 14.  The Wildcats were once again paced by Braeden Wilson who had 4 kills in the first set.  The Mustangs seemed to really gain control of the momentum and the set with a huge solo block by OH Taylor Lancaster which gave them the lead at 18-17 which they never relinquished as they finished the game at 25-20.  Shadow Ridge had a balanced attack getting 4 kills apiece from Taylor Lancaster, Zach Hafen and Jake Shea.

In set two Las Vegas started strong with Shadow Ridge holding close.  The teams were trading shots and thundering kills but Las Vegas held on to its slim lead.  Shadow Ridge finally gained the lead on a run of points but the play that inspired an opponent’s time out came on a beautiful set and kill from Jeremy Makaiwi to Zach Hafen.  Makaiwi had to run down a dig near the left sideline and push the set over his head 30 feet to the right side pin for the waiting hammer of Zach Hafen.  But it didn’t change the entire momentum as Las Vegas held very tight and even had a lead at 23-22 behind the outstanding play of Trevor Hardy who finished the set with 7 kills and an ace.  The two squads traded points until Shadow Ridge was able to finish the set in overtime at 28-26.

Once again Las Vegas started strong in set 3 jumping out to an 8-5 advantage but the Mustangs tied it at 8.  The two squads were playing at a very high level but slowly Shadow Ridge opened a small lead and ultimately won a very tight set 25-23.  The Mustangs slightly altered their plan of attack in the final stanza getting nearly all of their offense from the left pin with Jake Shea and Taylor Lancaster both pounding out 6 kills.  Braeden Wilson performed heroically in the final game registering 8 kills and a service ace.  Hats off to a great season by the Wildcats, I was very impressed by their run in the playoffs.  Shadow Ridge will move on to the state finals which will take place at Palo Verde, tomorrow at 6:00pm.