With the exit of so many seniors, it was impressive to have Sandra Prep, last year’s state champion, make the finals this year, but St. Mike’s was just a little too much for the Sundevils, winning in four sets, 25-21, 19-15, 25-13, 25-17.
Setter Miquela Martinez had an impressive showing, confounding the Sundevil defense with accurate and unpredictable play.
“We’ve been preparing for this all season, and we knew that every ball was going to count today, so we weren’t going to let any ball drop,” said Martinez.
Coach Valerie Sandoval was overwhelmed in bringing home the blue trophy for the first time in 16 years. “These girls have worked so hard. Nothing has been easy about this season. Our schedule, every tournament we’ve entered has been tough, our district is tough. We were hoping to take them in three, but of course, that would have been easy.”
Both Darian Ortiz and Lily Barker made huge contributions. Ortiz’s magic at the service line and Barker’s bullets throughout the match kept the Sundevils on their heels. Even more impressive is Barker’s level of play, and she’s only a sophomore.