(Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

 

The American Leadership Academy went 7-0 to capture the championship of the TUSD Invitational held at Palo Verde High School. Including two regular season matches, the Patriots have yet to give up a set to start the season 9-0.

“We are really playing together and we have put so much work into our chemistry,” senior setter Nelson Reed said. “We’re going to continue to go out there excited and hopefully put some heat on other teams.”

The Patriots began play as a program only three years ago, starting out 4-13 in 2016 and 15-14 in 2017.

Nelson finished with seven assists in the 2-match championship over Rincon/University. Nelson spread the wealth evenly among his hitters, with a large amount of the points coming from blocks at the net with senior middle Tyler Jameson collecting five of the 12 team blocks.

The Patriots controlled the first set 25-13 with the Rangers limited to only four points on offense but the second set proved a little more competitive. Down 14-13 in the deciding set, the Patriots finished it out on a 12-2 run for the win.

“I’ve seen a lot of growth in the short time I’ve been here,” said first-year Rincon head coach Stephen Huff. “We are going to get better everyday and, even today, I saw them fight for every point after playing four games in a row.”

Louie Rocha led the Rangers with eight assists.

@alaqcathletics wins the @tucsonunified Boys Volleyball Invite pic.twitter.com/3ji4r9acDn

— Andy Morales (@AZPreps365Andy) March 4, 2018

 

Friday, Mar. 2

Palo Verde 2, Amphitheater 0

Pueblo 2, Catalina 0

Rincon/UHS 2, Cholla 0

American Leadership 2, Sabino 0

Cholla 2, Amphitheater 1

Sahuaro 2, Catalina Foothills 0

Canyon del Oro 2, Flowing Wells 1

Catalina 2, Palo Verde 1

American Leadership 2, Pueblo 0

Rincon/UHS 2, Catalina Foothills 0

Canyon del Oro 2, Sabino 1

Sahuaro 2, Flowing Wells 0

Canyon del Oro 2, Pueblo 0

American Leadership 2, Catalina 0

Catalina Foothills 2, Amphitheater 0

Cholla 2, Palo Verde 1

Rincon/UHS 2, Flowing Wells 0

Sahuaro 2, Sabino 0

 

Saturday, Mar. 3

Catalina Foothills 2, Amphitheater 0

Pueblo 2, Catalina 0

Flowing Wells 2, Cholla 0

Sabino 2, Palo Verde 0

Sahuaro 2, Pueblo 1

Canyon del Oro 2, Flowing Wells 1

Rincon/UHS 2, Sabino 0

American Leadership 2, Catalina Foothills 0

Catalina Foothills 2, Cholla 0

Flowing Wells 2, Amphitheater 0

Pueblo 2, Palo Verde 1

Sabino 2, Catalina

Sahuaro 2, Canyon del Oro 0

Catalina Foothills 2, Sabino 0

Pueblo 2, Flowing Wells 1

American leadership 2, Rincon/UHS 0

Catalina Foothills 2, Canyon del Oro 1

Rincon/UHS 2, Pueblo 0

American Leadership 2, Sahuaro 0

Rincon/UHS 2, Catalina Foothill 0

Rincon/UHS 2, Sahuaro 0

CHAMPIONSHIP

American Leadership 2, Rincon/UHS 0