By Greg Perkins Snowflake finished the regular season as the second ranked 3A volleyball team. As the No. 2 overall seed they met up with familiar foe Payson in the first round of the 16-team state tournament bracket on Saturday afternoon. Like they did twice during the regular season Snowflake cruised past the Longhorns in three games, 25-11, 25-12 and 25-14. That win advanced them into the quarterfinal round on Saturday evening where they met up with seventh seeded Gilbert Christian. Snowflake won the first game 25-18 and built a 2-0 lead with a close 25-23 outcome in game two. Gilbert Christian battled back, winning game three 25-22, but the Lobos held on and advanced to the semi-final round with a 25-21 game four win. The top four seeds in the tournament all advanced to the final four. No. 4 Thatcher will match up with No. 1 Northwest Christian on Saturday morning at 11. Snowflake is the No. 2 seed and will match up with No. 3 Valley Christian at 1 p.m. The two winners will meet up in the 3A State championship match at 4 p.m. All three matches will be played at Marcos de Niza High School. Northwest Christian is undefeated this year. Snowflake’s only loss came against them back on Sept. 24. Valley Christian has just two losses this season, both of which came against Northwest Christian.
