4A VB: Seton Catholic ends quarterfinal blues

November 17, 2020 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Seton Catholic's Christina Kuras (4) on the attack in the first set of the Sentinels' sweep of Greenway in the 4A volleyball state tournament. (AzPreps365 photo)

Seton Catholic's and Greenway's experience in the state volleyball tournaments the last couple of years have ended quite differently. Greenway entered this year's 4A tourney as two-time defending champs and the Demons have won three titles in the past four years Seton's fate in the same span - four losses - in the 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 quarterfinals.

That recent history was adjusted Tuesday night at Seton Catholic. The #4 seeded Sentinels won a tight first set and then demolished #5 Greenway in the next two to advance to the semifinals. Scores were 25-23, 25-14, 25-11. It's Seton's first semifinal appearance since 2014.

Seton (14-2) moves on to Thursday's semifinals to face top-seed Notre Dame Prep at Notre Dame Prep. Greenway (13-2) had a 13-match winning streak snapped in stunning fashion. The Demons have won three titles and a runner-up trophy the past six seasons.

"Everyone knew how we'd done at this point lately," Seton coach James Johnson said. "We came out amped up, too amped up. We finally got settled toward the end of the first set. Our serving improved. Then everything came together.

"Greenway has been the team the last few years. They are well-coached. We've kept at it hard. Done our best to stay healthy from COVID and staying away from any other sickness. We played really well tonight."

Seton senior outside hitters Christina Kuras and Catherine Schwab were potent on the attack. Kuras had 16 kills and Schwab registered 12. They were complementary defensively as well with 12 digs for Schwab and 9 digs for Kuras backing up libero Rachel Martinez (16 digs). The Sentinels' two setters  - Gracie Shearan and Alexandra Van Devender - collected 19 and 18 assists, respectively.

Some observers who've seen many or all of Seton's matches this season claimed this was its best performance of the season bar none. It looked flawless save some first-set serving woes.

Seton never trailed in the first set, managing leads of between one and five points. The last of seven service errors by the Sentinels in the set came with Seton up 16-14. Greenway tied it four times, the last at 23 on a kill from power-hitting Tatum Parrott. The Sentinels closed the set with a kill by Emilee Horky and ace from Kuras.

Greenway, coached in its recent 4A domination by Sarah Peterson,  wasn't competitive in the next two sets save the first 12 points of the second. The Demons led 6-5, but a few minutes later were bitten by a 12-1 run. Set three was more of the same with Seton leading almost all the way with its largest lead at 22-6.

Greenway never was able to get its attack going with any consistency. Parrott, who piled up 312 kills in the first 14 matches, finished with 12 kills unofficially. One more than her season-low.