Yuma Catholic makes program history with first playoff volleyball victory

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) — Yuma Catholic volleyball made history Thursday night, earning the first postseason victory in program history with a dominant three-set win over Blue Ridge in the first round of the 3A state playoffs.

The eighth-seeded Shamrocks welcomed the ninth-seeded Yellowjackets to Carol McElhaney Oden Gym for the program's first-ever home playoff match. Yuma Catholic made the most of the opportunity, taking control early and never looking back.

The Shamrocks dominated the opening set, winning 25-13, but the next two were much closer.

The second set ended 26-24, while the third set ended 25-22 with an ace from Bella Koehl to help seal the three-set win.

Junior opposite hitter Gwen Thrower helped set the tone at the net with eight kills and finished with a team-high six blocks.

Senior Sadie Estes also made her presence felt, recording four aces and 10 kills while leading the team with 17 digs. Junior setter Zoee Gonzalez added six aces, 28 assists and two kills, helping keep the Shamrocks' offense moving.

Junior outside hitter Payton Enders was another major factor in the victory, finishing with a team-high 18 kills, eight digs, three blocks and two aces. Junior Audrina Payan anchored the defensive effort with 25 digs, while also contributing five assists and two aces.

Head coach Averi Nicewander said the victory was especially meaningful after setting a goal of making history when she took over the program.

“As an athlete who came here when I was younger and then coming in as a coach, I just told the girls, 'Let's make history this year.' We wanted to make it at least one step farther, so it's huge,” Nicewander said.

The Shamrocks also had to overcome some adversity in the second set, battling back after falling behind by five points. Nicewander said she reminded her players of the work they had put in throughout the season and the opportunity they had in front of their home crowd.

Energy was another major emphasis throughout the match. Nicewander said the team finished with approximately 10 blocks, its highest total in a game this season.

“I just told them, you keep that energy and you let the other team know that you're here to play,” Nicewander said. “Even when we're not playing our best in that set, we still have the energy to back us up.”

For Enders, the win was the culmination of a season filled with hard work, team success and lasting memories.

“We just made Yuma Catholic history. We really couldn't have done it with a better group of girls,” Enders said. “We broke records, we made friendships and we have lifelong bonds here, so it's a great program.”

Enders also credited her teammates, particularly her setters and back-row players, for helping fuel her success, not only in the historic victory but throughout a dominant season that established her as one of the state's top outside hitters.

The Shamrocks now turn their attention to the quarterfinals, where they will face top-seeded Gilbert Christian on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Mountain Pointe High School.

"It's been a while since we played them. They're big, they've got really good hitters," Nicewander said. "We're going to have to block, our service pressure is going to be have to be there and then of course, our energy will have to stay high."