ROUNDUP: Experience helps lift Green Valley past Las Vegas

Even though Green Valley’s girls volleyball team had more underclassmen on the floor than Las Vegas on Wednesday night, it quickly became apparent that the Gators were the more experienced team.

With five starters back from a team that made it to the Sunrise Region semifinals last season, Green Valley sprinted to an 18-1 lead in the first game on the way to a 25-3, 25-17, 25-20 win over the visiting Wildcats.

“What really helped was the preseason tournament last weekend,” said Green Valley coach Erin Hill, whose team went 6-3 and finished third at the Las Vegas Invitational last weekend. “There’s nothing like getting a few matches under your belt.

“We’ve got a core group now that’s been playing together for about three years. It’s coming together.”

Las Vegas started three seniors but had just one starter back from last season, and the on-court inexperienced showed. The Wildcats struggled at times just to handle serves, often giving Green Valley free-ball opportunities.

The Gators feasted on such chances, with Siga Appelgate and Sydney Brozovich combining for 27 kills.

The 6-foot-3-inch Brozovich had seven of her 13 kills in the first game. The 6-foot Appelgate took over in Game 2 with six kills. Emma Johnson added five kills in the match for the Gators.

“Siga and Syd are putting the ball down,” Hill said. “Emma Johnson, our sophomore on the outside, she puts the ball down, too.”
Johnson was one of three sophomores to start for Green Valley, along with libero Taylor Seidler and setter Jena Chavez, who had 30 assists.

“Those young kids are coming along,” Hill said. “They are playing up a level. And really, the whole team, they’re very teamy.

“They’re very team-oriented, and they really like each other, and I think that really shows.

Sophomore Natresha Bernard led Las Vegas in kills with seven, and freshman Tiffany Jackson had 16 assists and six digs for the Wildcats.

Chaparral 3, Clark 1 — At Clark, Casi Gavin had 21 assists, two kills and five aces, and Jordan McGinness added 14 digs and three aces as the Cowboys downed the Chargers, 21-25, 26-24, 25-16, 25-14.

Breanna Gianopoulos had 10 kills and two aces and Kaylee Campos nine aces and three kills for Chaparral.

Bonanza 3, Valley 1 — At Valley, Jessica Leavitt had 12 digs, five kills and two aces as the Bengals beat the Vikings, 15-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22.

Yesenia Garcia tallied 13 digs for Valley.

Western 3, Desert Pines 0 — At Desert Pines, Megan Riggs dished out 19 assists as Western downed the Jaguars, 25-18, 25-21, 25-9.

Baresheoun Lee added nine kills for the Warriors.

Rozia Bell had six kills and Nikki LaGesse seven assists for Desert Pines.

Rancho 3, Legacy 1 — At Legacy, Kayla Williams had 21 assists to lead the visiting Rams to a 23-25, 25-12, 25-22, 25-23 win.

Aisha Momodu added five kills, five blocks and six aces and Alexis Johnson five blocks for Rancho.

Foothill 3, Desert Oasis 0 — At Desert Oasis, the Falcons beat the Diamondbacks, 25-9, 25-18, 25-10.

Arbor View 3, Eldorado 0 — At Eldorado, the Aggies beat the Sundevils, 25-22, 26-24, 25-13.

Sarah Childs had nine digs and five kills, Brionne Mousseau five kills and Kaylee Ficklin three blocks for Eldorado.

Tech 3, Mojave 0 — At Mojave, Jezebet Xaypanya tallied four aces to help the Roadrunners beat the Rattlers, 25-22, 25-19, 25-18.

Cheyenne 3, Canyon Springs 0 — At Canyon Springs, the Desert Shields beat the Pioneers, 25-17, 25-15, 25-12.

Henderson International 3, Agassi Prep 1 — At Henderson International, Sabi Paches had nine kills to help the Wolverines to a 25-16, 24-26, 28-26, 25-23 win.

Lauren Mushkin added eight kills and Pamela Sakuma five blocks and five kills for Henderson International.