Snowflake’s amazing volleyball season came to a close in the championship match of the 3A State tournament where the No. 1 ranked Lobos fell to No. 3 Fountain Hills in three straight games. The Lobos had amassed an incredible 40-7-1 season record that included a 17-0 regular season mark, as well as a 3-1 stretch in the state tournament over the weekend.
Their loss in the final match snapped a 14 match regular season winning streak.
Snowflake started their run to the title game on Friday afternoon with a 3-0 win over Page in the opening round. They were slightly tested in the first game winning it 25-21, but controlled the match the rest of the way winning game two 25-17 and the final game 25-7. Erin Willis led the team in kills with 11. Shaylee Chapman led in aces with four. Alyssa Brinkerhoff and Willis each led in blocks with six. Makayla Ramage led the way in digs with 12, followed closely by Jaylee Powers with 10. Katlyn Papa had 12 assists.
The Lobos moved on to face No. 8 seeded Valley Christian on Friday evening and took down the Trojans in three games as well. The games were closer with Snowflake prevailing 25-19, 25-23 and 25-23. Willis again led in kills with 11. Chandler Johnson served two aces. Willis led the way in blocks with seven. Ramage finished with 15 digs, and Papa had 15 assists.
In the semi-final match on Saturday afternoon Snowflake met up with fellow East Region foe and No. 4 seeded Blue Ridge. The Yellowjackets had battled Snowflake to two 3-2 matches during the season with the Lobos prevailing in both close matches. This time around Snowflake jumped out to a 2-0 lead winning the first two games 25-20 and 25-23. Blue Ridge took the third game 25-22, but the Lobos advanced to the title match with a 25-23 win in game four.
Willis was huge at the net with 14 kills, and Johnson helped with 11. Papa served two aces. Willis played well at the net defensively with 13 total blocks. Ramage was busy on defense finishing with 33 digs of Yellowjacket kill attempts. Papa led in helpers with 19 assists. Powers also did well with 17 assists.
In the championship match Snowflake met up with No. 3 seeded Fountain Hills. The Falcons earned their trip to the finals with an upset over No. 2 Northwest Christian in the semi final round winning 3-2. They carried that momentum into the finals with a solid win over Snowflake winning in three games 25-16, 25-19 and 25-15.
Willis finished the title match with eight kills and one block. Papa served two aces and led the team in assists with 12. Johnson had 10 digs.
