On Thursday, September. 27. Mingus volleyball lost to Coconino three sets to zero.
With the loss, Mingus dropped to 8-9 this season.
Coconino improved to 10-10 this season.
“Sending free balls over is what killed us this game,” Mingus coach Chelsea Chavez said. “ We could not stay in system when we sent Coconino a free ball and it cost us tonight.”
Coconino get out to a quick lead early in the first set but Mingus battled back.
After both teams reeled off runs of their own, Coconino eventually pulled away in the end, taking the first set 25-16.
In the second set, neither team could pull away despite both teams reeling off streaks of consecutive points.
Mingus and Coconino would counter the opponent’s run with their own run as the teams duked it out to 25 points.
Coconino would grind out a win in the second set 25-22, giving the Panthers a two set lead over Mingus.
The third set was similar to the first two sets as Coconino jumped to an early lead but Mingus battled back.
The Marauders battled hard but Coconino was too much to overcome as Mingus dropped the third set 25-18.
“Having success moving forward will come down to serve receive and not sending free balls to the opponent,” Chavez said.
Despite the loss, Mingus had a few positives to take away from the match.
“My sophomores on varsity are starting to step in and shine for us,” Chavez said. “ It is rare for a sophomore but they are starting to put up stats.”
Sophomores Shelby Link, Kylah Vincent and Sadie Backus have each made ample contributions to the Marauders this season.
On Saturday, September. 30. Mingus rebounded from their loss to Coconino and defeated Tucson Magnet High School.
Mingus defeated Tucson High 25-20 in the first set and 29-27 in the second set.
The Marauders improved to 8-10 this season.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Mingus.
Mingus’s next home game is Thursday, October. 4. when the Marauders host the Flagstaff Eagles.
The match begins at 6 p.m.
