Shamrocks swept in first round

PRESCOTT VALLEY – The third time wasn't the charm for the Lady Shamrocks.

No. 12 seeded Yuma Catholic was knocked out of the Arizona Interscholastic Association Division IV Playoffs, losing to No. 5 Parker in three games, 25-13, 25-22, 27-22, at Tim's Toyota Center, in Prescott Valley, Thursday.

It was the third time this season the Lady Shamrocks faced the Broncs, with Parker taking all three wins by a three-game sweep. But just like the previous meeting, the playoff match turned into a nail-biter.

Parker easily took the first game but in the second, Yuma Catholic's Amanda Quintana and Kalaina Barnett started to attack and Parker started to commit unforced errors. The result was a tied game all the way until 21-21. Parker's Vanessa Olivares gave the Broncs some breathing room with a kill at 23-21 and Nicole Chavez put away the game winner.

The third game saw the Shamrocks jump out to the early lead, again thanks to Barnett's hitting, Sophie Edwards blocking in the middle and Madison Brazeel digging up every Parker smash.

But the Broncs rallied to tie 8-8 and Olivares served Parker to a 16-9 lead.

The Lady Shamrocks didn't give up, though, as they rallied to tie at 22-22, thanks to an Edwards' service ace.

The teams continued to trade points until Parker's Mariah Sharpe placed a dink into the open space in the middle of the court for a 26-25 lead and Nicole Chavez got the match winner when her smash hit the top of the net, taking away the ball's momentum and allowing it to fall softly on the Yuma Catholic side.