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Ashley Vargas (7) proves her utility to the team with her backwards save. Jazelle Sanchez | SMHS
Eneida Quintero (12) goes in for the spike. Jazelle Sanchez | SMHS
San Manuel Miner
The San Manuel girls’ volleyball team picked up its first win of the season last Monday, defeating San Miguel, 3 – 0 (25-19, 25-12, 25-18).
Junior Jade Barcelo-Willard led the Miners with a team-high 22 kills. Junior Eneida Quintero and sophomore Annette Estrada finished with 18 and 12 kills, respectively.
Quintero led the Miners on defense, recording a team-high five blocks in the win.
Cassandra Guerrero (13), Daniela Guerrero (27), Nicole Encinas (19), and Barcelo-Willard (15) combined for 74 of the Miners’ 87 digs against the Vipers.
Senior setter Ashley Vargas had 45 assists in the three-game match.
The Miners didn’t fare as well in their other two matches last week, losing 3 – 1 (19-25, 25-17, 18-25, 24-26) to Superior and 3 – 0 (10-25, 15-25, 22-25) to Immaculate Heart.
Upcoming schedule: Sept. 30 at Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind (5 p.m.) and Oct. 6 vs. Gilbert Christian (6 p.m.)
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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