Perry coach Fred Mann congratulates the Pumas on their victory over O'Connor (Photo by AzPreps365.com)

 

Perry and Sandra Day OConnor sent several players each to the court Tuesday night with bonafide varsity experience. After battling back and forth in a topsy-turvy first set, Perry separated itself from the visitors and turned in a 25-19, 25-11, 25-12 victory in the 6A season opener for both schools.

Perry reached the 6A quarterfinals last year, falling to eventual runner-up Mountain Pointe. SDO lost in the round of 16 to eventual champion Corona del Sol.

"I think we were little nervous when we came out and made some mistakes defensively," Perry coach Fred Mann said. "We were able to fix a couple things, and the defense settled down. We definitely played better in the second and third sets."

Senior outside hitter Ryann Davis led the effort that featured solid performances from 10 players. Every Perry player who suited up got into the match by the time the final points of the third set were posted.

Davis tallied nine kills, three aces and three blocks. Senior middle blocker Kennedy Kaminsky checked in with seven kills and senior libero Halle Razo produced 16 digs. Nine Perry players finished with at least one kill in the match.

The uneven play of both teams in the first set was evident. Perry led without trailing at 10-7 and then watched O'Connor reel off seven points in a row for a 14-10 lead. Senior Lexi Keith got her second chance to serve and just like that Perry was back in front, 15-14.

O'Connor's last run with Kelli Agnew serving put it up, 17-15. An ace by Kaminsky eventually tied it a final time at 17. Over the next eight points Keith, Jessica Reynolds, Brooklyn Poling had kills and a couple of blocks from Grace Doyle started the domino effect of the second and third sets to come.

Sandra Day O'Connor was led by Agnew, last season's kill leader for the Eagles, with 10 unofficially. Junior Alexis Soncrant and senior Jordan Mineer added five kills apiece unofficially.