Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003 | 9:54 a.m.
Jeff Noa could not believe the two challenges Centennial made for itself in Tuesday's Sunset Region quarterfinals at Coronado High School. Thanks to Courtney Ballif, the Bulldogs passed both of them with ease.
Ballif recorded 14 kills and six digs, and turned in a gutsy performance in the pivotal second game, to push Centennial past Bonanza, 25-18, 26-24, 25-12. Julie Ahlstrom had 12 digs and Jessika Wetzler totaled 15 assists and five digs for Centennial.
It marked the second consecutive season that the Bulldogs (NW-1) have eliminated the Bengals (SW-4) in the opening round behind a stellar showing from Ballif.
"She gave a really good effort," Centennial coach Noa said. "She's always been there to pull us up."
That is exactly what she did in the second game after the Bulldogs cruised through the opening game. Bonanza rebounded from a sluggish start to rip off nine consecutive points and take a 16-5 lead, usually a comfortable edge in rally scoring.
The Bengals, though, struggled after committing a handful of errors, allowing the Bulldogs to pull back within 17-16. Bonanza again appeared to have the game in hand at 24-21, when Ballif came to the rescue for Centennial.
The senior outside hitter came up with a smart roll shot to the middle of the court, an off-speed down ball, and a hard kill down the line to tie the game at 24. Moments later, Ballif tooled the block on an outside set to seal the second game win.
"They dug deep and they came back," Noa said. "That shows character."
At the same time, Noa wishes his team did not need to display nearly as much character as it did.
"They played two games -- one against themselves and one against (Bonanza)," Noa said.
Centennial will take on Bishop Gorman (SW-2) in the semifinals after the Gaels handily dispatched Cheyenne (NW-3), 25-9, 25-15, 25-11. Although his team is the Northwest champion, Noa respects the challenge of taking on Gorman.
"We've got to play the game of our lives in that one," Noa said.
In the other half of the bracket, Southwest champion Durango and Northwest runner-up Palo Verde moved on without much trouble. The defending state champion Blazers downed Cimarron-Memorial (NW-4), 25-6, 25-15, 25-7, to advance.
Palo Verde eliminated Sierra Vista (SW-3) in the day's first match, 25-12, 25-10, 25-21.
The Sunrise Region tournament begins this afternoon and both regions play semifinal matches Thursday at Coronado.
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