Lauren Chiangpradit
ASU Student Journalist

Campo Verde defeats Marcos de Niza in an exciting five-set match

October 16, 2017 by Lauren Chiangpradit, Arizona State University


The Campo Verde Coyotes defeated the host Marcos de Niza Padres 3-2 in a non-conference match Monday.

Campo Verde junior outside hitter Caitlin Dugan led the Class 5A team in kills, creating problems for Class 4A's Marcos de Niza. The Coyotes’ offense revolved around Dugan and her ability to crush the ball.

“She was able to really just pick us apart,” Marcos de Niza coach Melissa Yee said. “It was (Dugan) that carried their team, and we could not figure out our adjustments in time.”

Campo Verde (18-17) took home the win after allowing Marcos de Niza (13-15) to win the fourth set. Campo Verde was able to pull ahead late in the fifth set, to seal a 15-10 victory off a rally.

“Our passing and serving was way better this game,” Dugan said. “It has been a little rough (this season), and this game we really put it all together.”

Both teams were able to connect passes, which led to long rallies.

“(The Padres) did really well out of system,” Campo Verde coach Tayler Bader said. “No matter where their setter was, they were able to go get the ball and keep it in play.”

The Padres were able to use the home court to their advantage late in the fourth set. The student section’s loud chanting led to a service error for the Coyotes and a momentum shift for the Padres, winning 26-24.

“We came out and fought,” Yee said. “I’m happy with the way we played. It could have gone either way (for us tonight).”

Tuesday the Padres face the Tempe Buffaloes (3-15, 0-5) in a Class 4A Desert Sky Region match at home. Up next for the Coyotes is a Class 5A East Valley Region match against the Williams Field Black Hawks (12-10, 2-3) Tuesday at home.