VOLLEYBALL: Salpointe over Mountain View plus Flowing Wells Invite schedule

September 5, 2017 by Andy Morales, AZPreps365


Salpointe setter Peyton Lewis. (Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

 

Salpointe beat Marana Mountain View 25-11, 25-10 and 25-23 and Rincon/University beat Cienega in five sets Tuesday night to help shape the initial list of the top teams from Southern Arizona.

The Rangers improved to 8-0 on the year, three days after beating Sahuaro to win the TUSD Invitational. Marana (0-0) will host Mountain View (0-2) on Wednesday and Salpointe (2-0) will travel to Ironwood Ridge (3-1) on Thursday in another match sure to shape the early power rankings.

The Lancers went 33-8 last year, capturing the 4A state championship along the way. The team lost top-hitter Maggie Schepelmann (354 kills) and libero Megan Cracchiolo to graduation but fellow All-Southern Arizona standouts Alanna Duarte and Peyton Lewis return.

Senior outside hitter Duarte finished with eight kills against Mountain View on Tuesday night and Lewis collected 26 kills. Freshman outside Andrea Owen (6-1) led all players with 10 kills.

“We lost great leaders from last year,” Lewis explained. “Our goal is to build leadership and chemistry especially with the incredible freshman we have on the floor. We will find a new rhythm.”

The Lions lost six seniors to graduation including hitter Taylor Shiflet and setter Kailey Shumate but All-Southern Arizona hitter Ashlee Sappington returns for her senior year.

“I think we will match up well against teams in our region,” head coach Sara Lippitt said. “We are learning a new offense with powerhouse kids. We also have a freshman setter who has shown she can set at the varsity level.”

Sappington had seven kills and fellow senior Anaya Hyman led the Lions with eight kills. Freshman setter Jaelin Reeb recorded 21 assists.

 

The Flowing Wells Invitational will take place Friday and Saturday: