I-A VOLLEYBALL: Mojave dominates in winning third straight title

Banners throughout the Chaparral gym reminded fans that they were attending a championship match, but it was business as usual Wednesday for Mojave’s boys volleyball team.

The Rattlers survived a contentious first set before taking total control en route to a 25-22, 25-12, 25-16 victory over Sierra Vista in the Division I-A state championship match. It was their third consecutive state title.

Senior Absalon Williams had 11 kills and two blocks to lead Mojave, but a balanced team effort led to the easy victory.

“Honestly, this is what we’ve been doing all year long,” Rattlers coach Erik Davis said. “Sierra Vista has a tremendous team, but I was not surprised we came out and played as well as we played.”

The Mountain Lions, who survived a five-set semifinal over Chaparral on Tuesday, looked strong in the first set and used a late rally to cut a six-point deficit to 23-22 on a block by Joey Harvanek.

But a Sierra Vista error and an ace by the Rattlers’ Anthony Reed finished off the set and started Mojave’s dominance.

Williams, who had five kills in the second set, seemed to come up with a big point each time the Rattlers momentarily backpedaled, and opened the set with a block and a kill. Mojave took over early and rolled throughout.

Williams said he was determined to help his team avoid another close game.

“I felt a personal responsibility to play my best,” Williams said. “In order to do that, I knew I would have to get over any selfishness and not just do what I wanted to do.”

Davis said his team learned from a first-set scare against the Mountain Lions earlier in the season.

“I think the guys relaxed just a little too much,” he said of Wednesday’s early difficulties. “We made a few adjustments. Our offense is explosive, and it can dominate at any time.”

The domination continued into the third set, as Mojave jumped to a 10-3 lead. That allowed Davis to unload his bench, but it was fittingly Williams who scored the championship point on a kill that bounced off a defender and out of bounds.

Davis said Wednesday’s championship was particularly rewarding.

“I’ve been at Mojave for four years,” he said. “All of these seniors started when I started, so this is really the fruit of my labor. These guys are tremendous competitors, tremendous athletes and tremendous people.”

Alex Carvalho helped the Rattlers with 10 kills, three digs and one ace. Teammate Jason Zambrano added 27 assists, five digs and two kills.

Chris McCoy led Sierra Vista with nine kills and two service aces.