14AAA
Champions - AZ
Sky 14N1 Attack Roster: Caitlin Downs, Elise Hulsey, Kimberlee
Kuhle, Lexie Larcher, Jocelyn Leichner, Kirea Mazzolini,
Emma McKee, Kristen Northup, Melissa Norton, Rebecca Sponcil.
Coach: Scott Lungren
AZ
Sky Wins Clash of the 14’s
Titans
For
the entire season, two 14’s teams rose
above; The AZ Sky 14-N1 Attack and the Arizona Juniors 14-1’s.
They rose up the ranks with each other every tournament and so
it was inevitable that when the smoke cleared on March 31st at
Arizona State University, the 14’s Championship match would
come down to these two.
And in Hollywood style, it was a titanic rift. Amazing play on
both sides, terrific performances and coaching chess moves adding
to the drama.
And
as the credits roll, AZ Sky, 25-21, 22-25, 15-10.
Attack coach Scott Lungren knew the task ahead of his girls. “We
only lost one match all season to a 14's team (Arizona Juniors)
with our line-up, "if it's not broken, don't fix it!?" Then
we played AJ’s at the regional NCQ and were beaten soundly,
so we knew we had to mix it up, 'because they had our number!
We changed our starting line-up and that seemed to do the trick!
Zone serving was one of our biggest strengths all year and during
this match it was very effective, with aces and "out of
system" passes!”
14AAA
Runner Up - Arizona Juniors 14-1 Roster: Nicole Battle,
Ashli Bellinger-Dunn, Lexis Evans, Lauren Haeger, Ashley
Hill, Rachael Lopez, Jordyn Moody, Natalie Murphy, Paige
Pfeiffer, Haley Rose, Chelsey Schofield, Katarina Schulz,
Chelsea Traina. Coaches: Tom Person, Joaquin Soares, Melissa
Carrington.
AJ’s coach Tom Person gave Lungren credit. “Sky
is a well coached, disciplined group and have played us tough
all year. Scott deserves a lot of credit for putting a team on
the court that improves every tournament. When we play Sky sometimes
match ups make a difference. Scott and I played some interesting
chess games when turning in lineups, but usually just good execution
wins the day.”
Lungren
said his team’s motto the entire year was ‘Heart’ and
it was needed in the 3 set final. “The thing that was
so special about these 10 girls is that they each had a role
on
this very successful team. They each played every single set,
every single tournament and they each added their individual
strength to make the success of the team.” He says, adding, “These
girls have been a pleasure for me to coach and the team's cohesiveness
has been exceptional.”
But
if you missed, it, don’t despair. These two titans
aren’t done with each other yet. Person says his team
is still tinkering! “This is a team that still has
their best days in front of them. The returning kids from
last year are
still improving and the new kids are rapidly catching up.
We are trying to instill a fast paced offense dominated by
quick
sets to the middles and crossing patterns with the outsides.
The time spent on this hasn't paid off yet but it will in
the end.”
Lungren
also understands the demands of success when it comes to his
team. “I
would love for them to try to stay together. I saw this very
same situation with my own daughter's
14's team many years ago. And with the majority of them going
to one high school and the rest scattered, there will be a tremendous
pull on them from other clubs.”
Both
teams feel there is a sequel coming, perhaps it’s
their destiny. And as fans of the game, you are encouraged
to get your tickets early. It’s sure to be a blockbuster
for years to come.
14AA
Champions
14AA
Champions - AZ Sky 14R1 Neon Warriors Roster: Chelsea Chartrand,
Tori Daniels, Katy Daniels, Jennifer Head, Thalia Jassemidis,
Sarah Kuhn, Madeline Kuhn, Lisa Lillis, Morgan Lutich,
Sydney Parker, Sharyn Tom. Coaches: Chanda Ford & Earl
Capps
Two
AZ Sky teams battled it out for the 14AA Championship on March
31st at Glendale Community College. The 14R1 Neon Warriors
took the Championship over their 13R1 Fury counterpart with
scores of 25-21 and 25-17. Keep your eye on the 13R1 Fury to
defend their place in the Championships in 2008.
14AA
Runner Up - AZ Sky 13R1 FuryRoster: Savannah Bridges, Audrey
Buchanan, Amanda Chappell, Danielle Cipolletti, Natalie
Clark, Jordan Everett, Victoria Fajardo, Francie Hessel,
Erin Hill, Elizabeth Nichols, Megan O'Sullivan, Taylor
Youngblood. Coach: Vince Zanzucchi
14A Champions
14A
Champions - Shonto Starlings 14's Roster: Pamela Bitsoie,
Kendra Black, Amber Johnson, Nicole Laughter, Brittany
Lowe, Kirshawna Mailboy, Trenell Tso, Thaila Tsosie, Watonia
Yellow. Coach: Harrison Miles
The
Shonto Starlings 14's team entered Region play in February
in the very last place in the ladder. Through three tournaments
they battled and won the 14A Division Championships over AZ
Sky 13R2 Shastaz. Congratulations Shonto Starlings 14's for
the highest jump in position of all the 14's Division teams
at the Region Championships.
14A
Runner Up - AZ Sky 13R2 Shastaz Roster: Aubrey Alianza,
Arden Anderson, Jennifer Burdick, Elaine Carpenter, Katherine
Castrichini, Candace Evilsizor, Alison Kelly, Jasmine Safaie,
Alexandra Taylor, Courtney Teerink, Kristen Todd. Coaches
Diane Gunkel & Shayla Ames.
