Volleyball claims Region 1 title with 3-0 win over Eastern Arizona

YUMA, Ariz. – The No. 20 ranked Arizona Western Lady Matadors Volleyball team (22-7) claimed its third Region I title in the last three years with a 3-0 win over Eastern Arizona (24-11) in the Region I Championship Game on Wednesday night at the House Gymnasium.

Gabriela Martensson helped lead the way for the Lady Matadors, recording a match-high 16 kills in the win while Amanda Juliao added 13.

The Lady Matadors took a 5-3 lead in the first set thanks to a block from Jazmin Cuellar and Evelyn Trivno and pushed the lead to 8-3 using a 4-0 scoring run. The Lady Matadors opened their first six-point lead of the set after a Ma'o Lauhingoa ace and a Martensson block to up the lead to 15-9. Eastern used a 3-0 run to cut the Arizona Western lead to 15-12 before the Lady Matadors scored 10 of the final 17 points to take the opening set 25-19.

Arizona Western scored the first six points of the second set to jump out to a 6-0 lead. Eastern Arizona went on a run to cut the Lady AMatadors' lead to 12-10 before the Lady Matadors scored 11 of the next 17 points to push their lead to 23-14. The Lady Matadors were able to fend off Eastern Arizona who put together a 6-0 run to cut the Lady Matadors' lead to three points, to win the second set 25-21.

The third set went back and forth early before Eastern Arizona grabbed its first lead of the match. The Gila Monsters opened up a three-point advantage at 9-6 before Juliao snapped the run with a kill. The Lady Matadors used a 5-0 run capped off by a Cuellar ace to take a 17-15 lead. Eastern Arizona knotted the set up at 23 before the Lady Matadors scored the final two points to win the set 25-23 and win the match 3-0.

Evelyn Trivino was named the MVP of the Tournament, finishing the tournament with 29 sets in the win while also adding 11 digs. Aly Reeser led the team in digs with 14.

The Lady Matadors are back in action at home on Monday, November 6, at 7:00 p.m. hosting the Rocky Mountain District Championship Game at the House Gymnasium against the runner-up from the Region 18 Tournament to be decided on Thursday. Tickets are $5.00 and passes are not accepted for postseason matches.