Thatcher wards off Pima in 7th Grade finale
By Raymundo Frasquillo
PIMA – The top two 8th Grade seeded teams met for the Eastern Arizona Junior High Association’s volleyball tourney championship match in Pima on Oct. 16. Top-seeded Pima won the first set and second-seeded Morenci the next two for the title.
The Wildcats fought back from an 18-25 first-set loss, tying the match with an identical 25-18 score in the second set, and went on to take the third set 15-11 for the match win.
Pima had a 9-3 third-set advantage before the Wildcats added two to cut the deficit to four at 5-9, added five to tie 10-10, and Pima enjoyed its final advantage at 11-10.
A Morenci point knotted the score a final time at 11-11. Four unanswered visitor points decided the outcome, with Morenci emerging as the 3-day season-ending conference volleyball tourney champion.
When asked what was learned, two Morenci middle school student spectators were unhesitant in concurring, “never give up.”
The Wildcats’ previous 8th-grade titles were in 2003, 2001, and 1999. Morenci has a lone title for the 7th grade, 1989.
8th Grade EAJHA Conference Volleyball Tourney
Pima drew a first-round bye on Oct. 14 and ousted fifth-seeded Duncan during the semifinals on Oct. 15.
Morenci reached the meet finale by eliminating seventh-seeded Fort Thomas during the first round and third-seeded Thatcher in the semifinals.
Thatcher received a first-round forfeit from sixth-seeded Globe Destiny, and Duncan upset fourth-seeded Safford during the first round.
The title match concluded the 3-day season-ending EAJHA tourney. Seeds were based on regular-season results.
8th Grade Semifinalists
Top-seeded PIMA Roughriders
The 14-member roster included Halle Alder (2), Jesa Bloomfield (4), Piper Bolinger (12), Kaia Butler (22), Molly DeRusha (30), Keira Ferrin (17), Camila Grimes (5), Bristyl McBiles (10), Macie Nelson (14), Macey Nolan (15), Tessa McRae (7), Brooklyn Payne (11), Ivie Smith (6), and Alana Titla (16).
Katelyn Nolan coached the Roughriders.
2nd-seeded MORENCI Wildcats
The 13-member team had Ruba Abdulqader (1), Serenity Chavarria (9), Sophia Davis (6), Danielle Ellington (14), MacKenzie Hernandez (23), Kloii Kidd (20), Raeleigh Lucero (5), Shaysea Marin (2), Lauren Merrill (20), Makena Morgan (3), Joee-Janae Nogales (24), Kylie Tessay (26), and Jazmin Williamson (13).
Felicia Medina coached the Wildcats.
3rd-seeded THATCHER Eagles
The 15-member team included Kinsley Alvarado (8), Aria Bermudez (5), Emry Carlsen (3), Penny Cummard (11), Lydie Curtis (1), Braelyn Duncan (2), Jayla Dunklin (7), Holly Hancock (14), Payslee Hunt (15), Kessa Jones (16), Gizelle Larrabee (6), Phoebe Marble (12), Hannah Maybury (9), Brooke Payne (4), and Ayla Rubalcava (17).
Rhyanna Mennen coached the Eagles.
4th-seeded SAFFORD Bulldogs
Members of the 13-member team had Iliana Aguilar (15), Kryslyn Anderson (6), Liberty Brinkley (2), Audrina Castro (4), Lillya Coombs (5/16), Caydence Gable (8), Miley Lackner (7), Mila Macia (12), Ryleigh Nielson (1), Abrianna Ortiz (13), Halily Rice (11), Brinlee Rios (3), and Alayna Tucker (10).
The student manager was Savanna Schaub.
5th-seeded DUNCAN Wildkats
The 15-member team included Aubrey Arious, Leah Basteen, Kiyana Bruce, Dylan Furnish, Mila Herrera, Syerena Hoglan, Khloe Holder, Allie Hughes, Ashlyn Jensen, Deny Maher, Sopia Ogelsby, Abigale Pierson, Zoe Robbins, Analise Ruiz, and Jazmine White.
Kristin Hoglan coached the Wildkats.
7th Grade EAJHA Conference Volleyball Tourney
Top-seeded Thatcher defeated third-seeded Pima in Paul W. Nelson Gymnasium for the title on Oct. 16.
Thatcher qualified for the championship match by eliminating fourth-seeded Morenci during the semifinals on Oct. 15 and drew a first-round bye on Oct. 14.
Pima advanced to the finale by upsetting second-seeded Safford in the semifinals and a first-round forfeit by sixth-seeded Globe Destiny.
Safford sent home the seventh-seeded Fort Thomas during the first round.
The championship match concluded the 3-day season-ending EAJHA tourney. Seeds were based on regular-season results.
7th Grade Semifinalists
Morenci reached the meet finale by eliminating seventh-seeded Fort Thomas during the first round on Oct. 15 and the third-seeded Thatcher in the semifinals on Oct. 16.
Thatcher ousted fifth-seeded Duncan during the semifinals and received a first-round forfeit from the sixth-seeded Globe Destiny. Duncan upset fourth-seeded Safford during the first round, and Pima drew a first-round bye.
Top-seeded THATCHER Eagles
The 15-member team included Taylee Airgood (13), Jayde Allred (2), Josie Bendall (10), Callie Carter (6), Olivia Hall (12), Blake Householder (4), Kloee Householder (7), Marlee Mack (14), Kinley MvNeil (16), Brinlee Nielson (8), Brianna Ortiz (17), Lowey Shupe (1), Kamber Smouse (5), Emma Stringfellow (11), and Braiya Varela (15).
Rhyanna Mennen coached the Eagles.
2nd-seeded SAFFORD Bulldogs
Members of the 14-member team had Brooklyn Arbizo (10), Jordyn Carrasco (5), Mattie Clark (11), Annalyn Foote (4), Jayde Gaines (6), Miley Jurado (5), Brelynn Leachet (7), Amyah Moreno (2), Elisa Ortiz (9), Juliana Rutherford, Mila Trujillo (8), Amyah Villalba (12), Zamya Villalba, and Melea Zaugg (1).
The student managers were Liluh Soto and Audrina Terrazas.
3rd-seeded PIMA Roughriders
The 11-member team included Quinn Bingham (24), Jackie Click (28), Rorie Jo Davis (25), Emmalee Elms (18), Kybree Gojkovich (9), Eva Jarvis (26), Sadie Pace (29), Paige Pelto (3), Savannah Richardson (23), Lacey Russell (19), and Joy Tilley (32).
Caitlin McClain coached the Roughriders.
4th-seeded MORENCI Wildcats
The 14-member team had Remy Beck (19), Braelynn Blair (29), Evelynn Blair (20), Sabrina Cuhen (4), Cemiyah Jimenez (21), Leyla Lugo Ortega (22), Rachel Madrid, Seina Martinez (12), Annalaya Munoz (18), Alyssa Rosales (16), Sophia Seballos (15), Harleigh Taylor (17), Diamond Vozza (30), and Lilly Wyatt (7).
Bria Brown coached the Wildcats.
