Scottsdale Progress - 11.21.2021

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SPORTS & RECREATION

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | NOVEMBER 21, 2021

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Horizon wins 5A volleyball title

BY ZACH ALVIRA Progress Sports Editor

H

orizon head volleyball coach Valorie McKenzie was overcome with emotion as she posed with her team at the end of the 5A Conference title Saturday evening at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.

Her team, filled with players she said are not only talented but mentally tough, had just completed a sweep of Millennium to win the 5A championship. For McKenzie, who last won a title in 2009, it was a long time coming...

Especially after falling short last year with a team she truly believed would win it all.

“It’s amazing,” McKenzie said. “We strive for this and last year we went out early and we shouldn’t have. We keep making the state playoffs but just haven’t been able to get to the semis. I’ve had talented teams

Horizon fell short in the quarterfinals last season but played with a chip on its shoulder this year, winning the 5A title. (Zach Alvira/Progress Staff)

that just didn’t have that mental, emotional strength that could go all the way.

“This team isn’t all about talent. We worked really hard on our mental strength this year and it really made a difference for them.”

The loss to Cactus Shadows last year allowed Horizon to enter the 2021 season with a chip on its shoulder. That carried over all year as the Huskies were the top seed in the tournament and knocked off Cactus Shadows in the semifinals.

From there, they knew they could capitalize and continue their run to the trophy.

They did just that, winning in convincing fashion, 25-14, 25-14 and 25-15 over the second-ranked Tigers.

“I thought we were going to win state last year,” McKenzie said. “But coming into this year, these kids, they felt like we were winners, and we were going to work hard.

see HORIZON page 29

Notre Dame Prep cruises to 4A title win

BY ZACH ALVIRA Progress Sports Editor

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otre Dame Prep made it look easy.

A year after the Saints fell short of the 4A Conference title in the championship game, Notre Dame showed its athleticism and talent across the court Saturday afternoon at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum. The top-ranked team once again, the Saints cruised to a 3-0 win over Canyon Del Oro to win the 4A title — 2510, 25-20, 25-12.

“Last year was heartbreaking so it’s been a long year,” Notre Dame coach Holly McLean said. “To wait one whole year to get redemption, it’s been hard. We’re so thankful we were able to stay healthy and stay together as a team.”

Notre Dame Prep fell short in last year’s 4A Conference volleyball title. This year, however, the Saints left no doubt as they dominated Canyon Del Oro in three sets.

(Zach Alvira/Progress Staff)

The Saints dominated from start to finish in the first set, countering nearly every attempt from the Dorados to secure a point in the set. In a matter of minutes Notre Dame had a double-digit lead in the set thanks to strong play from sophomore Evan Hendrix and seniors McKenna Douglas, Sophia Garrow Ross and Keira Ryan, who had the final point for the Saints.

Lexi Yoza, a junior setter for the Saints, routinely assisted her teammates for kills.

Hendrix was on the receiving end of most as she would seemingly float through the air toward the net for the kill.

Even when Canyon Del Oro responded in the second set, Notre Dame never wavered. The Saints were calm, cool and col-

see NOTREDAME page 29