Thatcher netters welcome Payson on Thursday
By Raymundo Frasquillo
SAFFORD – The Makenna Farr-coached Safford Bulldogs (8-9-2 overall) host the Marcie Lopeman-coached Thatcher Eagles on Tuesday, Sept. 29, for a regional contest with a 6 p.m. start.
Safford also visits Palo Verde Magnet on Wednesday, Sept. 30, and Thatcher hosts Payson on Sept. 30; both Graham County teams will participate in the 2-day, 13-team Safford-held Desert Sunset Tournament at Norma Bellamy Gymnasium on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 1-2.
Also this week (Sept. 29-Oct. 3) for 3A South Region members, Pusch Ridge hosts Empire and Amphitheater hosts Palo Verde Magnet on Sept. 29; Tanque Verde visits Sabino, Safford visits Palo Verde Magnet on Wednesday, Sept. 30; Pusch Ridge visits Andrada Polytechnic and Empire hosts Amphitheater on Thursday, Oct. 1; and Tanque Verde will be participating in the 2-day, 72-team, 16-state Gilbert tourney on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 2-3.
Pairings for 1A East Region members this week include Fort Thomas hosting 1A South Region 1A South Region San Simon, Duncan hosting 1A South Region Valley Union, Hayden hosting 1A North Region Heber Mogollon, and Ray hosting San Manuel on Sept. 29; Cicero Prep visiting Fort Thomas, Duncan hosting Hayden, Ray hosting 1A South Region Nogales Lourdes Catholic, and Superior visiting San Manuel, and Superior hosting 1A South Region Tucson’s The Gregory School on Thursday, Oct. 1; and Cicero Prep participating in the Gilbert tourney on Oct. 2-3.
In the 1A South Region this week, Saint David visits 2A Southeast Region Pima, Patagonia visits Lourdes Catholic, Tucson’s The Gregory School hosts 2A South Region Eloy Santa Cruz, San Simon hosts 1A East Region Fort Thomas, Valley Union visits 1A East Region Duncan, and ASDB hosts 1A North Region Dishchii’bikoh on Sept. 29; The Gregory School hosts 2A Southeast Region Benson on Sept. 30; Saint David hosts 2A South 1 Region Tucson Desert Christian and Lourdes Catholic visits 1A East Region Ray on Oct. 1; Patagonia visits San Simon and The Gregory School visits 1A South Region Superior on Oct. 2; and Saint David will be participating in the Safford tourney on Oct. 2-3.
Desert Sunset Tournament (Oct. 2-3)
The Safford-held inaugural Desert Sunset Tournament has a 13-team field with the Bulldogs hosting four different enrollment classes.
Participating teams include the 4A East Sky Region San Tan Valley Combs Coyotes (4-5 seeding); the 3A East Region Florence Gophers (2-6), Metro Mountain Region Payson Longhorns (7-1), and the South Region Thatcher Eagles (7-0); the 2A East Region Globe Tigers (7-4), the Southeast Region Morenci Wildcats (2-6), the Pima Roughriders (5-5), the Sierra Vista American Leadership Guardians (6-0), the Tombstone Yellow Jackets (5-5), the Willcox Cowgirls (4-6), and the Valley Region Phoenix Veritas Prep Falcons (3-7); and the 1A South Region Saint David Tigers (8-0).
Matches are every half hour beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 2 and 9 a.m. on Oct. 3.
The 10 a.m. matches on Oct. 2 have Safford versus Combs, Morenci vs. Sierra Vista ALA, and Thatcher vs. Florence.
3A Safford Bulldogs (4-5 seeding)
The Makenna Farr-coached Safford Bulldogs (8-9-2 overall, 4-5 seeding, 1-2 region) have seeding wins of 3-0 over Willcox on Aug. 31, of 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-13) over Pima on Sept. 1, of 3-0 (25-9, 25-11, 25-15) over Apache Junction on Sept. 10, of 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-9) over Sabino on Sept. 21 along with losses of 1-3 (25-22, 20-25, 18-25, 23-25) to Benson on Aug. 26, of 0-3 (23-25, 11-25, 12-25) to Gilbert Christian on Sept. 8, of 0-3 (22-25, 21-25, 11-25) to Thatcher on Sept. 15, of 1-3 (14-25, 25-19, 14-25, 13-25) to Pusch Ridge on Sept. 23, and 0-3 (22-25, 23-25, 17-25) to Tanque Verde of on Sept. 24.
In addition, the Bulldogs went 4-4-2 during the 2-day Payson Invitational on Sept. 4-5. Safford had wins of 1-0 (25-20) over Fountain Hills, of 1-0 (30-10) over Flagstaff Northland Prep, of 1-0 (26-24) over Joseph City, and of 2-0 (21-5, 17-12) over Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin on Sept. 4 as well as losses of 0-1 (10-30) to Phoenix Northwest Christian and of 0-1 (11-30) to Payson on Sept. 4 and of 0-2 (5-21, 12-17) to Northwest Christian and of 0-1 (24-25) to Phoenix North Valley Christian on Sept. 5. The Bulldogs tied 1-1 with Lakeside Blue Ridge (16-21, 10-8) on Sept. 4 and with Show Low (9-21, 16-12) on Sept. 5.
Safford lists a 13-member roster of five seniors, five juniors, and three sophomores. The seniors are Jaycee Gable (14), MacKenna Macario (7), Gabriella Moreno (11), Jazzlyn Mortensen (3), and Lanae Shurtz (8); juniors Kassity Anderson (5), Kailana Beck (2), Jaydyn Coy (1), Martina Reyes (4), and Alicia Torres (6); and sophomores Aubri Bonilla (12), Milee Carter (9), and Kalia Cordova (10).
The Bulldogs are competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Thatcher Eagles and Tucson schools: the Amphitheater Panthers, the Andrada Polytechnic Mustangs, the Empire Ravens, the Palo Verde Magnet Titans, the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, the Sabino Sabercats, and the Tanque Verde Hawks.
3A Thatcher Eagles (7-0 seeding)
The Marcie Lopeman-coached Thatcher (10-5 overall, 7-0 seeding, 1-0 region) Eagles have seeding wins of 3-0 (25-12, 25-6, 25-13) over Sabino on Aug. 27, of 3-1 (27-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-17) over Florence on Sept. 1, of 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-21) over Show Low on Sept. 8, of 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-17) over Coolidge on Sept. 10, 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-11) over Safford on Sept. 15, of 3-0 25-(11,25- 9,25- 13) over Palo Verde Magnet on Sept. 21, and of 3-2 (25-21, 12-25, 21-25, 25-19, 15-10) over Empire on Sept. 23.
In addition, Thatcher went 3-5 during the 2-day, 36-team Mesa Westwood tourney. The Eagles defeated Tempe McClintock 2-1 (24-26, 25-19, 15-13) and Mesa Dobson 2-0 (25-16, 25-21) on Sept. 11 as well as Prescott 2-0 (25-23, 25-15) on Sept. 12. The losses were to Phoenix Desert Vista 0-2 (17-25, 9-25) and Peoria Liberty 0-2 (13-25, 11-25) on Sept. 11 along with Mesa Red Mountain 0-2 (19-25, 14-25), to Scottsdale Desert Mountain 0-2 (21-25, 13-25), and Chandler 0-2 (21-25, 21-25) on Sept. 12.
Thatcher lists a 13-member roster of five seniors, five juniors, and three sophomores. The seniors are Tessa Bryce (1), Marlie Farris (7), Matti Gallett (8), Taylor Henrie (9), and Lillie Welker (14); juniors Jordin Bedford (5), Alli Jihnson (11), Jocelyn Lunt (12), Payten Lunt (3), and Brinlee Skousen (10); and sophomores Makayla Cash (15), Rylen Montoya (4), and Charlotte Tysoe (2).
The Eagles are competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Safford Bulldogs and Tucson schools: the Amphitheater Panthers, the Andrada Polytechnic Mustangs, the Empire Ravens, the Palo Verde Magnet Titans, the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, the Sabino Sabercats, and the Tanque Verde Hawks.
3A South Region
The region standings as of Sept. 28 were Thatcher (10-5 overall, 7-0 seeding, 1-0 region), Tucson Tanque Verde (21-6, 8-2, 2-0), Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (*13-5-1, 5-2, 1-0), Tucson Empire (9-10, 5-3, 1-0), Tucson Andrada Polytechnic (4-9*, 3-4, 1-0), Safford (8-9-2, 4-5, 1-2), Tucson Amphitheater (5-6, 3-4, 0-0), Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (0-14, 0-8, 0-0), and Tucson Sabino (2-18, 1-9, 0-4).
Region pairings to date resulted in wins for Thatcher of 3-0 (25-12, 25-6, 25-13) over Sabino on Aug. 27, Andrada Polytechnic of 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-11) over Sabino on Sept. 10, Empire of 3-0 (27-25, 25-17, 25-17) over Sabino on Sept. 16, Safford of 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-9) over Sabino on Sept. 21, Pusch Ridge of 3-1 (25-14, 19-25, 25-14, 25-13) over Safford on Sept. 23, and Tanque Verde of 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-17) over Safford on Sept. 24 and of 3-0 (25-6, 25-13, 25-14) over Andrada Polytechnic on Sept. 28.
1A Fort Thomas Apaches (5-4 seeding)
The Darcy Barney-coached Apaches (7-6 overall, 5-4 seeding, 1-0 region) have seeding wins of 3-0 over Winkelman Hayden on Sept. 1, of 3-0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-17) over San Carlos on Sept. 2, of 3-2 over Elfrida Valley Union on Sept. 9, of 3-2 over Willcox on Sept. 15, of 3-1 (21-25, 25-12, 25-13, 25-19) over Grand Canyon on Sept. 18 along with losses of 0-3 (18-25, 27-29, 25-14) to Pima on Aug. 26 and of 1-3 to Heber Mogollon on Sept. 10, of 0-3 (11-25, 19-25, 21-25) to Joseph City on Sept. 19, and of 1-3 to Patagonia on Sept. 23.
Additionally, the Apaches went 2-2 during the Second Cochise County Round-up on Aug. 29. Fort Thomas went 2-1 in pool play with wins of 37-33 over San Simon and 44-41 over Bisbee and a 36-37 loss to Patagonia. The Apaches finished fourth with a 2-set (25-27, 12-25) loss to host Willcox.
Fort Thomas lists a 10-member roster of four seniors, three juniors, and five sophomores. The seniors are Kynnedee Bryce (21), Kelcie Harvey (27), Jamie Johnson (8), and Tranessa Jones (19); juniors Carmen Antonio (10), Maliah Duncan (11), and Dreona Pike (13); and sophomores Carter Hawkins (4), Jalayah Johnson (6), Cadence Olivar (2), Kinlee Pearson (1), and Aaliyah Peter (16).
The Apaches are competing in the 7-member 1A East Region with the Duncan Wildkats, the Kearny Ray Bearcats, the San Manuel Miners, the Scottsdale Cicero Prep Centurions, the Superior Panthers, and the Winkelman Hayden Lobos.
1A Duncan Wildkats (5-4 seeding)
The Kassi Mortensen-coached Duncan Wildkats (8-6 overall, 5-4 seeding, 1-1 region) have seeding wins of 3-1 (25-23, 25-15, 17-25, 26-24) over Elfrida Valley Union on Aug. 27, of 3-0 (25-19,25- 17,25- 16) over Miami on Sept. 4, of 3-0 (25-9, 25-5, 25-6) over Tucson Catalina on Sept. 9, of 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-20) over Ray on Sept. 22, and of 3-0 over San Carlos on Sept. 24 along with losses of 0-3 (11-25, 10-25, 18-25) to Scottsdale Cicero Prep on Aug. 31, of 2-3 (18-25, 25-16, 25-22, 17-25, 10-15) to San Simon on Sept. 2, of 0-3 (15-25, 19-25, 15-25) to Patagonia on Sept. 10, of 0-3 (14-25, 13-25, 12-25) to Saint David on Sept. 15.
Additionally, the Wildcats went 3-2 during the Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin tourney on Sept. 25-26. Duncan had wins of 2-0 (25-11, 25-13) over Bisbee, of 2-0 (25-21, 25-13) over Miami, and of 2-1 (15-25, 27-25, 15-9) over Phoenix Metro Tech on Sept.25 along with losses of 1-2 (16-25, 25-23, 9-15) to Douglas and of 0-2 (16-25, 17-25) to Phoenix Moon Valley on Sept. 26.
Duncan’s 13-member roster includes three seniors, a junior, four sophomores, and five freshmen. The seniors are Lily Ford (20), Sophia Harris (15), and McKenzie Jones (16); junior Haley Bigler (5); sophomores Emma Harris (7), Peyton Hoglan (14), Karli McKinley (10), and Josie Wright (4); and freshmen Kiyana Bruce (12), Mila Herrera (3), Allie Hughes (2), Ashlyn Jensen (1), and Elyana Whitmer (17).
The Wildkats are competing in the 8-member 1A East Region with the Fort Thomas Apaches, the Kearny Ray Bearcats, the San Manuel Miners, the Scottsdale Cicero Prep Centurions, the Superior Panthers, and the Winkelman Hayden Lobos.
1A East Region
The region standings as of Sept. 28 were Scottsdale Cicero Prep (8-1 seeding, 1-0 region), Fort Thomas (5-4, 1-0), Duncan (5-4, 1-1), Winkelman Hayden (2-6, 1-1), Kearny Ray (4-5, 0-1), Superior (2-4, 0-0), and San Manuel (0-7, 0-1).
Region pairings to date include Cicero Prep of 3-0 (25-11, 25-10, 25-18) over Duncan on Aug. 31; Fort Thomas of 3-0 over Hayden on Sept. 1; Duncan of 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-20) over Ray on Sept. 22; and Hayden of 3-2 (25-19, 25-19, 24-26, 19-25, 15-5) over San Manuel on Aug. 26.
1A South Region
The region standings as of Sept. 28 were Saint David (8-0 seeding, 3-0 region), Patagonia (7-0, 2-0), The Gregory School (8-2, 2-1), San Simon (6-3, 2-2), Elfrida Valley Union (3-3, 1-1), Nogales Lourdes Catholic (2-2, 0-2), and Tucson ASDB (1-7, 1-7, 0-4). Region pairings to date have resulted in wins for Saint David of 3-0 (25-5, 25-3, 25-7) over ASDB on Sept. 2 and over Lourdes Catholic by 3-0 (25-3, 25-11, 25-9), and of 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-9) over San Simon on Sept. 21; Patagonia over The Gregory School by 3-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-11) on Sept. 2 and of 3-0 (25-7, 25-9, 25-13) over ASDB on Sept. 8; The Gregory School over ASDB by 3-0 (25-9, 25-8, 25-10) on Sept. 3 and over San Simon by 3-1 (19-25, 25-12, 25-20, 25-20) on Sept. 9; San Simon of 3-2 over Valley Union on Sept. 15 and of 3-0 (25-5, 25-14, 25-10) ASDB on Sept. 18; and Valley Union over Lourdes Catholic by 3-0 on Sept. 11.
