BY PETE MOHR | OCTOBER 20, 2010

Volleyball climbs to A.I.A. #1!

Beat Saguaro Oct. 19; McClintock here Oct. 21
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CSHS – I can’t punch up from my fading memory when the Arizona Interscholastic Association began compiling Power Points rankings; but unless a Cactus Shadows volleyball alumna (or fan) can correct me, I believe that Monday’s standings are the first appearance of the Lady Falcons at #1! Congratulations to Head Coach Tom Gardner, Assistant Coach Amanda Ware and, of course, the 13-1 LadyBirds, who protected their top spot by defeating, on the road, Saguaro, 25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 25-9, Tuesday evening, Oct. 19.
 
The Gals deserve a big congratulatory “Welcome home!” Thursday evening, Oct. 21, when they’ll host McClintock’s Lady Chargers in a Desert Sky Region match. First serve at approximately 6 p.m., depending upon the length of the Freshman and JV matches.

True to his modest form, Coach Gardner was low-keyed in acknowledging this writer’s congratulations. “It (the #1 ranking) feels good, but we’ll have to ‘win out’ to stay there.” “Winning out” meaning, back-to-back, a tough test at Cactus (Wednesday, Oct. 27), then returning home the next night to decide the D-Sky undisputed title against the Queen Creek Lady Bulldogs. 

Co-Captain Shan England was appropriately excited. “I think it’s awesome!” she enthused to Sonoran News. “It’s really rewarding to see our hard work paying off.” As it should, Shan. The team has worked hard, consistently playing better. 

Ladies, enjoy every minute of your #1 ranking; but to hold on to the top spot, keep taking ‘em one match at a time.