Yuma Catholic holds off Central in volleyball home opener

Zoey Norred and fellow Yuma Catholic seniors lead the way in five set win over the Central Spartans

YUMA, Ariz. ( KYMA, KECY-TV ) - The Yuma Catholic Shamrocks volleyball team opened their season on the road on Tuesday and fell to the Holtville Vikings in straight sets. On Wednesday the Shamrocks opened their home schedule against another tough for from the Imperial Valley, the Central Spartans.

The Spartans entered the contest as the defending CIF San Diego Section Division V champions and also entered the Carol McElhany Oden gymnasium in search of their fourth consecutive win.

Yuma Catholic won the first match 25-13, Central answered in the second set winning 25-12. Play would get more intense after that with the teams splitting the third and fourth sets. Yuma Catholic taking the third set 25-21 and Central 26-24 after that to force the fifth set. Yuma Catholic won the deciding set 15-7 for the 3-2 victory.

With the win, Yuma Catholic improves to 1-1 on the season and next will welcome Brawley to Yuma on September 6th. Central drops to 5-4 and will host undefeated Holtville on September 8th.

Leading the attack for Yuma Catholic was senior Reese Sellers who finished with 15 kills. Senior Rian "The Menace" Martinez finished with 11 kills and 24 digs. Jessica Kershaw had 18 digs and Zoey Norred added two blocks. Senior Payton Pikula had 33 assists.

For the Central Spartans, Camila Mungia had 38 digs. Janelle Thomas led the Spartans with seven kills. Alondra Ruelas had six kills, two aces and a solo block. Sage Galloway added 15 assists, three kills and one ace. Katia Mejia finished with 13 assists, two kills and one ace.