Can anybody beat Clarkdale-Jerome School?
This fall, at least for Verde Valley Conference volleyball teams, the answer to that question is no. This was confirmed Saturday, Oct. 25, after the Mingus Rams swept through Big Park Community School, Camp Verde Middle School and host West Sedona School for the championship of the Verde Valley Conference tournament.
“These kids have been working really hard, since they were fifth-graders,” said Lynda Chavez, Clarkdale-Jerome head volleyball coach and athletic director. “They’ve been working together, they’ve been playing together and it showed.”
Mingus Rams outside hitter Lindsey Jones, an all-around, communicative leader on the court, was named the tournament Most Valuable Player, joining fellow eighth-graders Ashley Loring and Mia Williams on the all-tournament team.
“I knew at least one of us was going to be named MVP,” Jones said.
“I knew at least one of us was going to be named MVP,” Jones said. “I used to be really quiet — I didn’t really talk at all, I would not call the ball. This year, I’ve gotten a lot louder than I used to be.”
Although tested early in a 25-22 second-game victory over the host Wildcats and a 25-20 edging of the Coyotes in the first game of the championship match, Clarkdale-Jerome’s unparalleled service return game and consistent strength of serve carried the team through.
“I think the cohesion of working together is really what sets these girls apart from any other team,” said assistant coach Laci Brown, whom Chavez credited for instilling an ethic of communication among not just Jones but all Mingus Rams on the court, consistently — from the opening serve through each point. “It clicked for them why it was important.”
Ace serves by Loring and Williams’ kills propelled a 14-4 second game run that finished off the Coyotes in the championship, 25-15.
“We always wanted a banner at our school with our names on it,” Loring added. “This year, I think I just really developed the [serving] power.”
For the schedule for the six teams, including the Mingus Rams, playing Friday and Saturday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, in the State Small Schools Volleyball Championships at Clarkdale-Jerome School, please see the Wednesday, Oct. 29, issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
