Volleyball advances to Region I title match with 3-0 win over Yavapai

YUMA, Ariz. – The No. 20 Arizona Western Lady Matadors Volleyball team (21-7) advanced to the Region I Championship game with a 3-0 win over Yavapai (7-16) on Monday night in the Region I semifinals at the House Gymnasium.

Gabriela Martensson led the way for the Lady Matadors with 13 kills to help guide Arizona Western to its' sixth consecutive Region I final.

The Lady Matadors started the match with a 4-1 lead in the first set and built a 9-5 lead, forcing an early Yavapai timeout. The Roughriders cut Arizona Western's lead to three points at 19-16 before the Lady Matadors scored six of the final nine points, winning the first set 25-19 on a Martensson kill.

Arizona Western scored five of the first seven points in the second set before the Roughriders used a 4-0 scoring run to take a 6-5 lead. The Lady Matadors battled back to take the lead at 7-6 and never trailed for the rest of the set, pulling away for the 25-22 win on an Evelyn Trivino kill.

Ma'o Lauhingoa gave Arizona Western a 5-3 lead in set three before the Lady Matadors opened a three-point advantage at 11-8 on a Martensson kill. Yavapai grabbed it second lead of the match at 17-16 but Arizona Western came out of a timeout and rattled off four straight points to regain the lead, going on to win 25-18 to win the match 3-0.

Amanda Juliao finished second on the team with 10 kills and Trivino had 27 assists and 11 digs to finish the match with a double-double.

The Lady Matadors will make their sixth consecutive appearance in the Region I title match, hosting Eastern Arizona on Wednesday, November 1, at the House Gymnasium. Tickets for the Region I Championship match are $5.00. Passes are not accepted for postseason matches.