ST. GEORGE – Desert Hills swept its opponent for the second match in a row to open Region 9 play.
The Dixie Flyers traveled across town to take on the Thunder, with both teams having swept their first-game opponents in region. But Dixie could not carry that momentum forward as DH took a 25-14, 25-17, 25-16 sweep.
“Our practices this past week preparing for region play have been really intense,” said Thunder outside hitter Rachel Winters.
In the first set, both teams squared off evenly initially. Dixie led 8-7 before the Thunder scored six consecutive points behind the serves of Madison Clark. The Thunder led 13-8 before Dixie Coach Stacey Leavitt called a time out to stem the momentum. The Thunder kept rolling, however, and the lead climbed to 23-13 on a string of points from Kaylee Carter’s serves. Winters then closed out the set 25-14.
In the second set, the Flyers again battled initially to keep things close. Dixie led 10-9 before the Thunder got another run. Tiera Orr serves netted Desert Hills five consecutive points to switch the lead to the Thunder 14-10. The lead climbed to 22-14 on a 4-0 run with Winters serving.
“We have the talent to play with this team,” said Leavitt. “The late mistakes in these games are more mental than anything else. These four- and five-point runs are hard to overcome.” Desert Hills closed out the second set, winning 25-17.
The Thunder jumped out early in the third set. Orr served DHHS to a 7-4 lead. Carter then paced the Thunder with seven consecutive points on her service and crisp passing from setter Hailee Tanner giving the Thunder a 15-6 lead. Dixie rallied behind Grace Bown’s serves to pull within 15-11. Flyer libero Abracia Payton made some great digs during the run to keep rallies alive.
“Abracia has really stepped up,” said Leavitt. “She is so quick defensively and her passing has been exceptional.”
Desert Hills would cruise the rest of the way to win the set and match 25-16. The last four points were scored on Jessica Harris serves.
Individually, Winters led all players with 13 kills. Tanner led all players with 23 assists. Madison Clark led the Thunder with nine digs.
“Madison’s (Clark) play has been exceptional,” said Thunder head coach Jill Swaney. “She is only a sophomore, but she plays well in every facet of the game.”
For Dixie, DeAubrey Bowers had six kills. Libero Abracia Payton led all players with 12 digs and had a passing efficiency of 2.24. Risha Tiatia contributed 10 assists.
The Thunder are undefeated at 5-0 overall (2-0 in region). They will travel to Pine View on Tuesday. The Flyers fall to 6-7 (1-1). They will host Snow Canyon on Tuesday.
Snow Canyon 3, Lone Peak 2 (Non-Region game)
Snow Canyon won for the third time in three nights. After sweeping region foes Pine View and Cedar in straight sets to open the region tied for first place, the Warriors took on 5A Lone Peak High School on Thursday night and defeated the Knights 25-19, 25-23, 21-25, 20-25, 15-8. Crash Parker led all players with 21 kills and 25 digs. She also had four service aces, three blocks and a 2.6 passing efficiency rating. Shaylee Reed had four service aces, 31 assists and 10 digs. Nikenna Durante contributed nine kills and 13 digs.
Snow Canyon moves to 6-2 (2-0) and will face Dixie on Tuesday night.
Pine View 3, Hurricane 0
The Panthers swept Hurricane in their match Thursday night 25-8, 25-15, 27-25. Sarah Pierce paced the Panthers with five kills and three blocks. Cassidy Murdock dished out 15 assists. Natasha Flame and Tiffany Griffiths recorded double digit digs with 11 apiece. For the TIgers Carrie Marshall and Jaiden Smith led with four kills apiece. Gordon Sefita had nine assists. Ellie McDonald and Sierra Davis both had nine blocks.
Hurricane falls to 1-6 (0-2) and will host Cedar next Tuesday. Pine View improves to 14-8 (1-1). They will host Desert Hills on Tuesday.
Snow Canyon 3, Cedar 0 (Wednesday)
On Wednesday night the Snow Canyon Warriors stayed undefeated in region by sweeping Cedar 25-18, 25-13, 25-11. Crash Parker led all players with 18 kills. She also had nine digs. Shaylee Reed had 27 assists and four service aces. Nikenna Durante contributed seven kills and six digs. For Cedar Fabi Young led the team with five kills. Ashlyn Ogden led the team with five digs. Kylie Fields had 21 assists. Cedar falls to 7-5 (0-2). They will travel to Hurricane on Tuesday.
REGION 9 STANDINGS
1. Desert Hills 2-0 (5-0 overall)
1. Snow Canyon 2-0 (6-2)
3. Pine View 1-1 (14-8)
3. Dixie 1-1 (6-7)
5. Cedar 0-2 (7-5)
5. Hurricane 0-2 (1-6)
Rachel Winters (7), Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News DeAubrey Bowers (13 with a spike for Dixie, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Desert Hills' Tiera Orr goes up for a spike, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Sarah Milne for Desert Hills, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Tiera Orr (10) makes a spike for Desert Hills, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Madison Clark digs a ball for the Lady Thunder, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Tiera Orr (10) at the net for Desert Hills, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Dixie's Tyler Stilson (5) fires a shot in to Hailee Tanner (6) and Jessica Harris (13) who are defending for Desert Hills, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News DeAubrey Bowers (13) for Dixie, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Jessica Harris (13) for the Lady Thunder, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Katie Fisher (25) fires a shot for the Lady Flyers, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Katie Fisher (25) for the Lady Flyers, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Hailee Tanner (6) sets for Desert Hills, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Hannah Nyberg digs for Dixie, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Abracia Payton (2) for Dixie, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News Abracia Payton (2) digs a ball for Dixie, Desert Hills vs. Dixie, Volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2015, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
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