Volleyball regions down to top seeds

Jeff Neubert

Friday, May 13, 2005 | 10 a.m.

All four volleyball top seeds advanced to the regional championship games Thursday.

As has been the case often this year for Palo Verde, the Panthers outlasted Centennial in five games, shrugging off a 25-11 equalizing Game 4 score earn the win.

"I told them they had to play better as a team," Palo Verde coach Angie Vetter said, referring to the fourth game. "They needed to focus."

The Panthers regained their composure and won the fifth and decisive game, 15-11.

Palo Verde will play Bonanza, a three-game winner against Shadow Ridge, for the Sunset Regional championship at 7 p.m. today. "We have to be able to run our offense," Vetter said. "If we can do that and we can play as a team, we have a chance to move on."

Joe Kauliakamoa led the way for the Panthers, scoring 22 kills with five aces in the match.

Teammate D.J Kaanaana had 30 assists.

Bonanza won its game 25-19, 25-20, 25-14.

After Eric Ringer injured his eye, junior Lenny Whiting stepped up and helped the Bengals to victory with seven kills.

Brendan Parry was also a big part of the win with his 35 assists.

Team defense was key in the victory for Bonanza, and coach Bob Bertolani thinks his team will need a similar effort against the Panthers and dangerous hitter Kauliakamoa.

"We have to play defense and shut down Joe," Bertolani said.

In the Sunrise Region semifinals, home court didn't turn out to be much of an advantage for Coronado against Las Vegas High.

Lack of communication and minor miscues on the part of the Cougars aided the Wildcats in a 3-0 win -- 25-12, 25-16, 25-16.

Craig Pickett had nine kills, two aces, and 10 digs for Las Vegas, while teammate Willie Farias helped the team to victory with his 42 assists.

The Wildcats need to focus on a couple of areas to continue winning, according to coach Sue Thurman.

"We have to continue to serve tough and pass well," she said.

They will play Silverado for the Sunrise Regional championship at 5 p.m. Friday.

Silverado coach Eric Drum said his boys needed to learn a lesson from Thursday's game.

"I want my boys to learn a lesson," Drum said. "When you are down, keep fighting."

The Skyhawks did just that after their 25-19 loss to Chaparral in the first game.

They went on to win the next three and won the match, 19-25, 25-17, 25-21, and 29-27.

Richard Arguello had 45 assists in the win, while teammate Michael Garrard had 11 kills.