Volleyball playoffs:

Spelmen drives Trailblazers to semifinal win over Centennial

Published Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 | 6:22 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 | 9:39 p.m.

Believe the hype about Durango senior Hayley Spelman, because the reigning Nevada Gatorade volleyball player of the year is as good as advertised.

Spelman, a Stanford-bound 6-foot-6 opposite hitter, blasted 37 kills while leading an inexperienced Durango squad past Centennial, the top seed in the Northwest Division, 25-23, 31-29, 25-12 in the Sunset region semifinals Thursday.

“She is the mother bird,” said Durango coach Kelly O’Quinn. “She takes care of everyone out there. If she plays bad, we play bad. If she plays good, we still play bad. She corrals them and helps them and they adore her. Nobody is jealous or envious of her.”

The same could not be said last year when Durango advanced all the way to the state championship, where the team fell to Silverado.

“Last year, we did have some jealousy issues because Hayley was so good,” O’Quinn said. “But this year she has truly taken over and everyone is working together despite the fact that we are mostly just beginners.”

Following last year’s deep postseason run, nearly all of Durango’s talent graduated and O’Quinn was not sure if Spelman would even return to play her senior year.

Despite winning a gold medal at the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation Championships in Saltillo, Mexico, as a starter on the U.S. Junior National team, and earning a Division-I scholarship, Spelman was not satisfied.

The star athlete with a 4.0 GPA still yearned for a state title.

“I just really want to win and everyone else wants to win just as much as I do, and we do so as a team,” Spelman said. “I just try to do my part.”

Spelman’s role in steering the Trailblazers to Friday’s Sunset region finals extended beyond kills and digs.

After prevailing in a tight first game 25-23, Durango fell behind 12-1 in the second game. Spelman showed her leadership skills by huddling her teammates together to urge them to forget the past and move forward.

Her advice worked as the Trailblazers pulled out the second game 31-29 before cruising to a 25-12 third frame rout in front of a raucous partisan Centennial High gymnasium.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how much her character has been revealed this year,” O’Quinn said. “I don’t know if I could have even done what she’s done this year from a character standpoint. She is a true sportsperson. She is the most humble athlete I have ever coached.”

Other Friday scores:

Gorman pulls out marathon match against Palo

Bishop Gorman remained undefeated in a thrilling five-game battle with Palo Verde in the second Sunset region semifinal Thursday night.

After taking the first game 25-22, the Gaels dropped the following two games 25-21 and 25-18, respectively.

In danger of ending their season, the Gaels stormed back in the fourth frame 25-7.

Gorman kept that momentum going in the final game as it took an early 3-0 lead. But the Panthers eventually battled back to take a 10-9 advantage.

The Gaels, led by seniors Alexis Sanchez and Kristen Jones, never panicked and eventually put the Panthers away 15-12.

"I just told them to breath and stay calm," said Gorman coach Ed Van Meetren about the nail-biter ending. "I was hoping if I stayed calm then they would too and then they could focus out there."

Gorman will now face Durango in the Sunset region final on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Centennial High School gymnasium.

Silverado drops Del Sol

Del Sol’s storybook season came to abrupt end in the first Sunrise region semifinal as defending state champion Silverado dismantled the Dragons, 25-12, 25-14, 25-18.

The Dragons entered the postseason for the first time in school history as the No. 4 seed in the Southeast Division with an 8-6 record, but managed to upset the top-seeded Rancho Rams in straight games in the quarterfinals on Monday.

“You could kind of see our jitters with our first time being in this atmosphere,” Del Sol coach Albert Ronquillo said. “...But I’m thankful for all the support we’ve had throughout the year. The future is bright for Del Sol volleyball.”

Junior Taylor Richard led the Skyhawks with 12 kills, 11 digs and three aces.

Green Valley crushes Coronado

Despite battling several lengthy delays due to referee scoring errors, Green Valley maintained its focus in order to roll past Coronado 25-21, 25-22, 25-13.

"Refs are part of the game, so I'm proud that might team came back and played well enough to get the win," said Green Valley coach Erin Hill.

The Gators will face Silverado in the Sunrise region finals Friday at 5 p.m. at Centennial High School. The two squads have split their four previous meetings this season 2-2.

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or steve.silver@lasvegassun.com.