Citizen Staff Writer
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
RODNEY HAAS
sports@tucsoncitizen.com
Playing with a heavy heart after the passing of a fellow Salpointe Catholic High School classmate Thursday morning, the Lancers boys volleyball team beat Sahuaro 3-1 (25-14, 24-26, 25-23, 25-22).
“That is something tough they had to overcome and focus on volleyball for a couple of hours,” said Salpointe coach Amy Johnson. “I think that is hard for a 16-, 17-year old kid to handle so I think that shows a lot about their character.”
Johnson wouldn’t elaborate on the student’s death, other than to say several of the players on the team were friends of the student.
“We were really emotional and it was long day at school with stuff happening,” said Salpointe star Pat Tunnell.
Salpointe (2-2) responded after a Game 2 loss with a pair of hard-fought wins in Games 3 and 4, never holding a lead of more than four points in either.
Johnson was more than happy to face such a quality opponent this early in the season.
“At least we know we can play high level volleyball because Sahuaro is a high-level team,” Johnson said. “It’s a great feeling.”
Sahuaro’s Game 2 win started with a quick 5-0 lead.
Salpointe chipped away at the early deficit, eventually tying it at 23.
But Sahuaro closed out on a 3-1 run that gave the Cougars a win.
“We love competing against them because we play our best,” said Sahuaro (3-1) coach Sandy Novak. “It gives us a measure to see where we are.”