Dorados hold on to defeat Bulldogs

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Alexis Rope (10) gets the kill for Safford on the strong spike. CDO left with the victory, however, 3-1.

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Alexis Rope (10) gets the kill for Safford on the strong spike. CDO left with the victory, however, 3-1. 

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

Once we learn how to close out games we’re going to be a scary team.

Safford head volleyball coach Robert Abalos
Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Payton Abalos (1) and Rhyle Klajda (4) attempt to block a shot by CDO’s Peyton Rogowski.

SAFFORD – One could feel it in the air Monday night at Norma Bellamy Gymnasium at Safford High School. The electric feel that seems to permeate when the home team is on a comeback and something special is about to happen. The Safford Bulldogs volleyball team fell just short Monday night, losing in four games to the visiting Dorados, 25-22, 25-23, 13-25, 25-23. But the girls nearly pushed it to a deciding fifth game and had the momentum. The Bulldogs will look to now take the experience from this game and other tough early-season matchups and utilize what they learned from it in future battles.

“They caught us in a tough rotation,” said Safford head volleyball coach Robert Abalos. “We’ll look at that. I thought overall the girls played awesome. I mean, we’re going out there with one senior. We only play one senior and she did a fantastic job in leading us and being a leader out there but we’ve got a ton of underclassmen that are stepping up and playing these high-level games.”

The Bulldogs (0-1 conference, 2-2 overall) have faced stiff completion on the hardwood so far this season and have played up with success, defeating 4A Gila teams Rio Rico (3-1) on Sept. 3 and Sahuarita (3-0) on Sept. 4. 

“All that is preparing us for when we get into our region and, hopefully, in the playoffs,” coach Abalos said. “It’s awesome. It’s fun to watch. A lot of girls (were) stepping up tonight.”

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Payton Abalos spikes it home. The sophomore had multiple kills in multiple games.

So, even with their young team sporting just one lone senior, it wasn’t surprising to some to see Safford compete well against 5A Sonoran Canyon Del Oro on Monday, even though CDO had taken down 6A South Tucson, and 5A Southern Flowing Wells to start their season. 

The games were very competitive with both teams staying within a few points of each other and both teams compiling lengthy rallies. The Bulldogs were up 22-20 in the first game, but the Dorados utilized their experience to come back and snare the first game 25-22.

Outside hitter sophomore Payton Abalos was downright scary as she pummeled the ball in spike after spike from the high left side. Dorado players must be given credit for hanging in there on block attempts with the ferocity of the spiked volleyball coming at them.  

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Jerzi Hawkins (6) goes for the block.

The second game was equally competitive, with the teams within a few points throughout. CDO finished strong and won the game 25-23. Safford senior Breanna Arbizo ruled the middle for the Bulldogs and set the tone but again they fell just short. 

Safford came back ferocious in the third game, ultimately taking it 25-13. The girls came out in the third and dominated, spiking away CDO’s hope at a sweep with middle hitter Alexis Rope getting some big kills and outside hitter Rhylie Klajda getting in on the action.  

The Bulldogs took early control of the fourth game, going up 13-7. Safford kept it steady and was in a good position up 21-17. 

However, the Dorados were relentless in their pursuit, and Safford held a slight 23-22 lead in the fourth game. With the momentum on their side, Safford looked to close out the fourth and force a match-deciding fifth game. However, CDO just got a run of three in a row to end the match in the fourth, 25-23, and the Dorados took the victory, 3-1. 

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Safford’s Payton Abalos (1) spikes it past CDO’s Peyton Rogowski (4) and Sadie Jones (6).

“I’m really happy where we’re at in the season with the young underclassmen – a lot of the sophomores and juniors,” coach Abalos said. “To be where we’re at right now this early is super exciting because we know the potential is there. Our biggest thing right now is finishing games . . . But that’s just the sign of a young team. Once we learn how to close out games we’re going to be a scary team., so I’m super excited.”

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Safford’s lone senior Breanna Arbizo tracks down the ball.

The Bulldogs will next travel to face the American Leadership Academy (ALA) – Ironwood Warriors on Thursday, Sept. 12, starting at 6 p.m. Safford will also be on the road for a tournament in Estrella Foothills on Sept. 13-13, at Palo Verde Magnet on Sept. 16, and a tournament in Snowflake on Sept. 20-21. The next home game for the Bulldogs will be against the Thatcher Eagles on Sept. 24, starting at 6 p.m. 

To see more pictures from the game visit the Gila Herald’s Photo Album on Facebook.