Yuma Catholic prepares to host first home volleyball playoff game in program history

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) — Yuma Catholic volleyball is preparing for a historic night Thursday as the eighth-seeded Shamrocks host Blue Ridge in the first round of the 3A state playoffs.

Under second-year head coach Averi Nicewander, the Shamrocks have continued to build a successful program, finishing the regular season with 25 wins. Now, they will make history by hosting the first home playoff match in program history.

Nicewander said energy will be one of the biggest factors against Blue Ridge, particularly as the Shamrocks look to establish themselves at the net and put pressure on the service game.

“Energy is a big part of volleyball. In the games where we do very well, whether we're on the court or on the bench, we have good energy as a team,” Nicewander said. “They have big girls, so we have to press on our blocks. We've also been struggling a little in our service game, so we have to have good service pressure.”

The Shamrocks will also have the benefit of playing on their home court, something Nicewander believes can give her team an added boost.

“Having the home crowd here and not having to travel is really going to help us out. We bring good energy when we are home, and I think we're going to carry that momentum into it,” Nicewander said. “The girls get to go to school, hang out as a team and build that energy early before coming into our gym.”

For Nicewander, maintaining that energy throughout the match has been a message to her team all season. She believes the Shamrocks have the talent to compete, but their success depends on playing together and staying mentally engaged.

“We have the talent. We have to bring the energy to back it up,” Nicewander said. “If they keep the energy and play like a team, we can be pretty unstoppable.”

Yuma Catholic is the lone volleyball team from Yuma County competing in the state playoffs, giving the Shamrocks an opportunity to represent the community as they begin their postseason run.

First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Carol McElhaney Oden Gym. Nicewander is encouraging the community to come out and support the team as it looks to make more history.