The Marauders moved up in the power rankings and gained even more momentum after a big victory over their cross-valley rival in their final game of the 2012 regular season.
The Mingus Union High School Marauders ended the regular season with a 13-6-0 record and secured a trip to the state playoffs as the No. 11 seed in the Division III conference after beating the Sedona Red Rock High School Scorpions [32-3-3] in a high-energy five-set match at Mingus Union on Thursday, Oct. 25. The Marauders won 3-2.
“It was great getting a bit of redemption after losing in the final game of the season last year, when we were just out of the playoffs,” said Brian Herman, MUHS head coach. “It is even better knowing that win or lose for either team would not knock someone out of the playoffs. They are such a great team, and it was good to go into the playoffs with a win against a team of that caliber.”
The stands were packed with students and parents who watched the girls battle it out.
“We play with these girls during the offseason, so we worked on what we know about the girls — what they do, their habits. So that helped a lot,” MUHS captain Bailey Mabery said.
The Scorpions took the lead right away in the first set. A set by MUHS’ other captain, senior Delaney Scanlan, for a kill by junior Angel Chavez tied the set at 6-6.
Sedona retook the lead, but a block by junior Tristen Meacham at the net and a dig by Chavez helped tie the score at 9-9 and again at 10-10.
Some miscommunication on Sedona’s court and an ace by Mabery allowed the Marauders to take hold of the lead. Sets by Scanlan gave senior Kalina Boysen, senior Holly Drake and Meacham perfect opportunities for kills. The Scorpions stayed within one or two points, but the Marauders held tight on the lead. A dig by Chavez, save by Scanlan and kill by Drake gave Mingus Union the first set victory, 25-22.
The second set was
For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Oct. 31 issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
