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By Frank Smith
The San Manuel Lady Miners varsity volleyball team hosted the visiting Lady Lobos last week on September 12, 2012 and came away with a 3 – 2 come from behind victory Hayden.
The Lady Lobos took the overtime victory in the first game 28 – 26 and picked up the win in a close second game 25 – 20.
In the third game the Lady Miners caught fire after being down 12 – 2 at one point, Coach Deanne Brewer called a time out to rally the troops, the ladies came out of the time to take the lead – never looking back to pick up the win 25 – 16. In game four, the Lady Miners continued to dominate – working together as a cohesive unit netting another win 25 – 17 to force the decisive fifth game.
In game five, San Manuel would not be denied as they took Hayden down to the wire grabbing the final game 15 – 12 for the win.
Stepping up for the Lady Miners was Alexis Garibay with 13 digs, six kills, and eight assists, Mackenzie White had 14 digs, four kills, 16 assists, and one block, Analisa Robles had six kills, and six blocks, Ana Estrada had 13 digs, three assists, and one kill, Felicia Gomez had five digs, 22 assists, and two kills, Karly Pena had 29 digs, and one assist, Anjelica Zuniga had four digs, 13 kills, and 13 blocks, and Tisha Reidhead had 18 digs, and one assist.
Coach Brewer said, “This was a turning point for our team. We were down two games and came all the way back to win the match. We played very well. We finally had fire in our eyes and went after the game! It feels good! We made some changes in our lineup and it is obviously the difference in the game for us. Alexis Garibay returned to the setting position, and Karly Pena wore the libero jersey. I am very pleased with the effort!”
The Lady Miners also competed in the Florence Invitational Tournament this weekend, in the first round of pool play; the ladies faced San Carlos, Globe and Vista Grande. San Manuel got off to a slow start in the first match, losing 25 – 24 in both sets. Next, the Lady Miners faced Globe, beating them 25 – 11 and then 25-23. Next, Vista Grande took both sets 25 – 16 and 25 – 21.
The Lady Miners then entered the inter-pool play where they split with Ray a 21 – 11 loss and a 21 – 16 win, San Carlos a 21 – 20 win and a 21 – 11 loss, Tonopah a 21 – 20 loss and a 21-15 win. San Manuel was seeded #7 in the bracket play. The Lady Miners played #10 seed Santa Cruz winning 25 – 15 and 25 – 23. Next, the ladies again faced Vista Grande the #2 seed losing 2-1, a 25 – 16 win , a 25 – 18 loss and then a 15 – 4 loss to put San Manuel out of the bracket.
Coach Brewer said, “Overall, I am very pleased with our performance in the tournament. We played as a unit and gave those teams good games. We played hard to the very last point.”
The Lady Miners traveled to Tucson on Tuesday to take on Greenfields; today they will be hosting the Miami Lady Vandals with the JV playing at 5:00 p.m. and the varsity taking the floor at 6:00 p.m.
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