Shadow Ridge uses strong start in three-set win over Durango

Shadow Ridge’s boys volleyball team entered Friday’s matchup with Durango as one of the hottest teams in Southern Nevada after winning eight of its last nine matches. The only blemish was a five-set loss to Centennial on Wednesday.

And the Mustangs, itching to get back on a steady course, took it out on their next opponent.

C.J. McInnis had four kills, 26 assists and 14 digs to lead Shadow Ridge to a 25-19, 25-23, 25-17 road sweep of the Trailblazers. It was the second time the Mustangs defeated Durango this season.

“Overall, I thought we played and executed well,” Shadow Ridge coach Luke Wilson said. “Especially with having a couple guys down. I feel like the subs that came in executed, and we still played as a team and managed a three-set win.”

Shadow Ridge (15-4) was business-like from the opening set, grabbing the first two points on kills by juniors Jordan Miller and Zach Fedinec, and eventually storming to a 19-11 lead. The Mustangs took the set on a cross-court kill by Fedinec.

“We wanted to start right because we played Centennial a couple of nights ago and didn’t start nice,” Wilson said. “So we wanted to come out and execute in the first set and get up early. Especially because (the starters) want other guys to play. And if we get up we, obviously, we get to play more people. So that was a big emphasis.”

In the second set, the Mustangs overcame a late push by Durango to hold on for a 25-23 win. Jake Hoadley served seven straight points to build a 15-7 lead, and Shadow Ridge withstood six ties and four lead changes to pile on its momentum.

“We’ve had some really tough matches, and we’ve taken care of business,” Wilson said. “We got big aspirations this year, and we’ve got to come out and execute every game, especially in a game like this, where we might be a man down. But no matter what six I put out there, I expect us to win every match.”

With Durango leading 11-10 in the third set, Shadow Ridge went on a 5-0 run and never relinquished the lead. McInnis put down a kill that rolled off a defender’s fingertips for the match-winning kill.

Hoadley finished with five aces and four digs, and Tanner Franklin had 10 kills, four aces and five digs for the Mustangs.

“(Franklin)’s definitely (a player) we like,” Wilson said. “All our guys — we like to spread the floor 30 feet, and he’s one of the 30-foot options. He’s definitely a high-volume player, and he’s going to be crucial for us down the stretch.”

Jaylen Clark led Durango with 11 kills and 10 digs, and teammate Tim Kedrowski had five kills and three digs for the Trailblazers (12-7).