04/03 - Mtn. View boys volleyball team stays perfect

The Mountain View girls volleyball team came within one match of the 5A state final. The boys basketball team was one game short of the state championship. The football team got within a yard of the state title.

Maybe the boys volleyball team can get the last final push. It certainly made a statement Friday with a 3-0 sweep of rival Mesa to improve to 9-0 on the season.

"We’re hoping we take the championship this year," said 6-foot-6 middle blocker Stephen Hill. "We’ve lost in everything else, but I think we can take it this year."

The Toros won their second East Valley Region match in as many tries by dominating the net and using superior serving — they had 20 aces. Hill had seven and younger brother Nate had five in the 25-12, 30-28, 25-19 win. Mountain View has swept all but two matches so far this season.

"This sets the tempo," Mountain View coach Brad Hanna said. "We’re excited. This is great stuff. I didn’t want to have to start off and then have to face them later (needing to win)."

Mesa looked overmatched from the outset, making errors and falling behind 11-3 in the first game. Stephen Hill’s powerful jump serve led to seven straight points and set the tone of the match.

But in the second game, the Jackrabbits (6-3, 1-1) found their legs. After falling behind 17-9, All-Tribune basketball star Lee Cummard had three kills and a block during an 11-3 run to get Mesa even at 20 and force the game past its usual 25-point limit.

SOFTBALL

DESERT VISTA 11-13, YUMA 0-4:

Jill Zinkie went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and struck out eight to earn her 12th win as the visiting Thunder (14-7, 3-1) beat the Criminals in the second game of a 5A Central Region doubleheader. Diona Braccio had a pair of hits, including a two-run homer for Desert Vista. Braccio also had a pair of doubles as the Thunder shut out the Criminals in the first game.