Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Duncan senior Peyton Damron greets the Lobos during player introductions with Hayden.
By Raymundo Frasquillo
DUNCAN – The Sandi French-coached Duncan Wildkats swept the Winkelman Hayden Lobos (1-9 overall, 1-9 seeding, 0-1 region) during three sets (25-21, 25-15, 25-12) in Duncan on Sept. 18.
Duncan was at full strength and looked to be a different team against the Lobos than it was during the Morenci tourney 10 days earlier,
“We’re improving,” French said.
The team includes seniors Delanie Claridge, Peyton Damron, and Katelin Stergion; juniors Kaktys Garcia, Kaitlyn Lunt, and Lynnie Neilson; sophomores Melissa Claridge, Janaye Eddy, Mia Hoglan, and Kinsley Rapier; and freshmen Kierra Lacey and Kiley McGrath.
Duncan broke a 17-17 first set tie and doubled up on the Lobos 8-4 to post the 1-0 win. The Wildkats rebounded from a 0-2 deficit, tied at 2-2, and led 19-9 before the visitors reached double figures in set two. The teams each added six points to close out the set.
The Scarlet and Gray pulled away from a 9-9 set three tie, aided by 10 unforced Hayden errors to lead 19-10 before a Lobos’ kill added point 11 and an ace serve point 12. A Damron tip and Stergion kill extended the margin to 21-12, and three bad passes plus a long hit closed out the set and match in favor of the Wildkats.
Duncan (4-11 overall, 4-3 seeding, 3-2 1A East Region) visits the Saint David Tigers (16-1, 6-1, 3-0 1A South Region) for a non-region match Friday, Sept. 21.
