Gila Ridge sweeps Yuma High

Nikki Kelland had eight kills and Allison Weller had seven in Gila Ridge's 25-18, 25-14, 25-15 win at Yuma High on Thursday.

“We played great all together. We built each other up. We didn't put anyone down,” said Weller. “We hustled a lot more and talked better.”

The communication of the Hawks (5-4) was praised by coach Colleen Ford.

“We played well together. I told the girls to play to their potential and play for each other,” said Ford. “Our cohesion was good. We got everything up on defense. Our setters were getting to every ball and executing.”

In the first set, Yuma gave up six unanswered points midway through the set, while Gila Ridge gave up five straight late.

Facing a 7-1 deficit in the second set, Yuma High (1-7) rallied back to 7-5, but Gila Ridge went on a 7-2 run later and scored the last five points of the match.

Yuma High got its first lead in the third set leading 4-1. The Hawks took the a 9-8 lead during a 7-0 surge and ended the match with a 7-1 run.

“We came out flat. We gave up spurts. We spotted them seven,” said Criminal coach Tish Malone. “It wasn't their night. We didn't quit. We need to communicate all the time — not some of the time. We are a lot better than what we showed today.”

Aleena Peralta was the biggest thorn in Gila Ridge's side for the Criminals. The towering middle blocker's presence had the Hawks think about where to tip their ball.

The Hawks and Criminals face each other again at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Gila Ridge.