VB: Hamilton celebrates return of coach Vanis with sweep

September 17, 2019 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Hamilton players were focused and solid in their play Tuesday in handily sweeping short-handed Mountain Pointe at Hamilton High. (Azpreps365 photo).

It wasn't good for Mountain Pointe's girls volleyball team to step into Hamilton's court down a couple of its top players.

It may not have mattered in the end as Hamilton breezed to a sweep of the Ahwatukee visitors Tuesday night by scores of 25-11, 25-12 and 25-14.

Hamilton, with as deep a roster as any team in the state, ran its record to 10-2 overall and 3-1 in power-ranking matches. The Huskies were 7-1 in last weekend's Westwood Tournament of Champions, losing only in the semis to Highland. Mountain Pointe dropped to 4-5 and 2-3 in prm.

It was a plus night for Hamilton more than its play on the court. Head coach Sharon Vanis, who missed all her team's matches last week after a fall at her home left her with a concussion and some bruises, returned to the bench a relaxed mode for her as she observed the proceedings with assistant coach Katie Higgins. HIggins piloted the team last week.

Hamilton, which carries 16 players on its roster, was able to plug every one of them in the lineup at one time or another. 

"We have some very talented players, and our depth is a strength," Vanis said. "We have a lot of options."

Hamilton volleyball coach Sharon Vanis (center) participates in pre-match meeting and coaches her first match in a week on Tuesday night. (AzPreps365 photo

Hamilton's leading attackers Tuesday, which likely isn't going to be atypical, was led by sophomore hitters Micach Gryniewicz (12 kills) and Jordan Middleton (10 kills). Freshman Neomi Beach and senior Bailey Williams addes six kills each. In all nine Hamilton players delivered at least one kill.

Setters Diana Ethridge and Reilly Babcock shared time for Hamilton with Ethridge loggind 25 assists and Babcock 12. Libero Bella Zapata and Gryniewicz led in digs with nine apiece.

Mountain Pointe's first-year coach Andrew Yamashiro had an inkling the match was going to be a huge challenge. That idea was verified quickly.

"Without two of our top three scorers it was going to be tough," Yamashiro said of senior middle Desiray Armstrong (out at least another week) and senior middle Kahrizma Kyles (looking at being idle for at least a month.). "(Hamilton) bring sso much heat. We aren't proud of how we played tonight. We need to get better and have the next-man-up attitude."

Kills were hard to come by for Mountain Pointe, who was led by senior Bria Samilton with seven. Hamilton takes to the court again on Wednesday visiting Chandler while Mountain Pointe's next match is Wednesday at home against Sandra Day O'Connor.