Friday, Nov. 9, 2001 | 11:40 a.m.
Southern Nevada will send three of four teams into the semifinals, but watching the Douglas Tigers Thursday night, you couldn't help but wonder if the large-school girls volleyball state title still goes through the state's northern half.
The Tigers, Northern Region champions and winners of 20 straight matches coming in, flexed their muscles in a 15-4, 15-4, 12-15, 15-11 win over Palo Verde, preventing a southern sweep in round one of the NIAA/U.S. Bank 4A Tournament at Chaparral High School.
"It's always exciting to come down to Vegas and play some good volleyball teams," said Douglas coach Kira Layden, whose squad will face Green Valley today at 5. "Hopefully, we can keep it going tomorrow and get to the finals."
The Tigers (22-1), who are trying for the north's fourth straight state title, won behind the dominant play of 5-foot-11 junior Emily Haas. The middle blocker gave the Panthers fits all night, racking up 16 kills and an unheard-of 17 blocks, many of those stuff blocks for points in the critical fourth game.
"Her hitting was a little off tonight, but her blocking was outstanding," Layden said. "She's really stepped it up defensively."
The loss spoiled an otherwise brilliant campaign for the Panthers (18-2), who went undefeated during the regular season. Their first defeat came against Durango in last week's Sunset Region finale, and forced them into a first-round matchup with the Tigers.
Palo Verde played most of that tournament and much of Thursday's match without senior middle blocker Courtney Wilkes, who suffered a high ankle sprain early in regionals.
"We took a nosedive at the end of the season," Panthers coach September Bauer said. "If we're in the dumps, we stay in the dumps."
Palo Verde setter Tamara Kauliakoamoa finished with 28 assists and 10 aces in the loss, with Nalei Piena and Kelsey Johnson adding nine kills apiece.
In earlier action Thursday, Silverado knocked off two-time defending state champion Churchill County, 15-9, 16-14, 15-6 behind 34 assists from Lacee Koelliker and 18 kills from Britt Wimmer.
"It's the most consistent we've been all year," Skyhawks coach Pam Sloan said. "Last year we lost to Durango in the first round of state, so we had something to prove."
Up next for Silverado (16-4), is a 3 p.m. rematch with those Trailblazers. Durango (19-2) made short work of Las Vegas, besting the Wildcats, 15-5, 15-1, 15-5. Amy Schlauder dished out 28 assists and Natalie Smart added eight kills in the victory.
Green Valley (23-1) advanced with a 15-8, 15-10, 15-4 win over Centennial. The Gators got 18 kills and three aces from Jenn Todd, 38 assists from Kelsi Thoman and 11 kills from Carolyn Forbush.
Semifinal winners will meet Saturday at noon for the state championship.
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