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SUNRISE VOLLEYBALL: Gators sweep Foothill to claim crown

After sweeping Las Vegas High in the Sunrise Region semifinals Thursday, Green Valley’s boys volleyball team already had booked a ticket to the state tournament.

The Gators, though, wanted more momentum beforehand. And they got it Friday.

Chase Larson had 11 kills and eight blocks, and James Reed added 15 kills and seven digs to help the Gators sweep Foothill 26-24, 27-25, 25-17 in the Division I Sunrise Region final at Legacy.

“Every game for us is important,” Green Valley coach Emily Baracco said. “It doesn’t matter if we’re scrimmaging our (junior varsity) team. These boys are competitive, and that’s what I love about them.”

Green Valley (29-7) will meet Palo Verde (29-11), the Sunset Region runner-up, at 7 p.m. Tuesday in a state semifinal at Legacy. Foothill (28-11) faces Sunset Region champ Arbor View (36-3) at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the other semifinal.

Friday’s win gave Green Valley its first region title since 2000.

“It’s incredible. A great feeling,” Baracco said. “I felt like our boys would not be denied. That’s just kind of how it felt.”

Zachary Hewitt had seven kills, 37 assists and nine digs for Green Valley, which also got contributions from Dustin Elliott (eight kills, 11 digs) and Cooper Burgess (seven kills, four blocks).

Shilo Chow led Foothill with 29 assists, nine digs and three kills

Eric Szukiewicz added eight kills and nine digs, and Mason Hansen notched seven kills and 10 digs for the Falcons. Troy Bell had 20 digs for Foothill.

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