Volleyball rolls past Yavapai 3-0 to earn spot in region final

YUMA, Ariz. – The No. 18 ranked Arizona Western Matadors opened postseason play with a 3-0 win over Yavapai in the Region I DI Volleyball Semi-Final on Monday night at the House Gymnasium.

Larrynn Joseph-Rodrigues led the Matadors with 14 kills and hit .462 as the Matadors punched their ticket to the Region I Championship game.

The Matadors scored the first three points of the first set and matched that lead at 8-5, stopping a quick Yavapai run. Ma'o Lauhingoa put the Matadors up 12-6 with a kill and the Matadors opened a 17-9 lead before the Roughriders whittled down the lead to 19-15. After Yavapai cut the Matadors' lead to two at 24-22, Sevval Aslan put the set away with a kill to give the Matadors a 25-23 win in the opener.

Just like in the first set, the Matadors opened an early lead in the second set and never let go of the lead. After taking a 6-3 lead, Arizona Western pushed the lead out to 16-11 on a block and pushed the advantage to 19-15 on an Esther Asiedu kill. The Matadors pulled away to take the second set 25-18.
Asiedu put the Matadors up 2-0 early in the third set and the Matadors' jumped out in front, but Yavapai battled back to cut the Matadors' lead to one at 13-12. After a timeout, the Matadors went on a 4-0 run to bump the lead to 17-13. Arizona Western went on to take the third and final set, 25-19.

Nehir Erimez led the offense, recording 30 assists in the win while Rana Yamada was the team leader in digs with 10.

The Matadors advance to the Region I Championship game to take on Eastern Arizona, on Wednesday, November 6, at 7:00 pm at the House Gymnasium. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $7.00 for seniors. Passes will not be honored for postseason games.