Region 10 volleyball: Crimson sweeps Cedar to edge into top spot; Snow Canyon, Hurricane also win

ST. GEORGE — With a home sweep of Cedar on Tuesday night, the Crimson Cliffs Mustangs moved to the top of the Region 10 volleyball standings. The Mustangs improved to 7-1 overall, one-half game ahead of 6-1 Desert Hills, which was idle on Tuesday.

Following are recaps of Tuesday night’s games, followed by those from last Thursday. There are just over two weeks left on the Region 10 schedule, with each team having either four or five regular-season games remaining.

Crimson Cliffs 3, Cedar 0

The Mustangs don’t want to peak too early, but all cylinders are firing right now in the Crimson Cliffs machine.

Crimson moved into sole possession of first place in Region 10 after sweeping the visiting Reds, 25-15, 25-14, 25-22.

“We’ve been working on being confident in the things that we do and the things that we put on the court,” Mustangs coach Gabrielle Hasenbeck told St. George News. “And it’s really showed. So, I’m very proud of the effort that we gave tonight.”

After the first set ended quickly in a 10-point win, Crimson Cliffs cruised to an early lead in the second set.

Cirmson Cliffs senior Adah Elam (8) defends the net in a Region 10 volleyball match, Washington, Utah, Sept. 27, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

On one pivotal rally that seemed to last forever, Crimson senior McCall Cottam made a full diving, one-handed effort to save a ball that kept point the point going. The Mustangs completed the play with a kill, took the lead 9-4 and never looked back in the set.

“What a play. It went over. I normally don’t play defense, so whenever I do I’m like, ‘Yes!'” McCall said. “And then the fact that my teammates were able to keep the play going, I was like, ‘Okay, this is awesome!'”

Twin sister Maci Cottam was all over the floor for the Mustangs, playing with high energy on her way to hitting five kills and posting 12 assists in the sweep.

“We’ve been playing together since the sixth grade,” Maci said, explaining that at first the twins were a little uncomfortable playing the same sport and having direct competition.

“But growing up we actually played different positions,” Maci added. “I feel like that helped strengthen our individual skills. But then as we got older, both of us got more flexible in the positions we played. And I think we gained the love of the sport to just enjoy and support whoever was in and whatever they were doing.”

“It’s pretty awesome to have twins on the court,” Hasenbeck said. “And it really is a true connection. It’s not typically what you see from middles, but they play really good defense. I’m super proud of the effort they give.”

Cedar got its offense moving behind Emery Harrison, whose kill and ace cut Crimson’s lead to 19-18 in the third set, but the home team put the Reds away behind the powerful outside hitting of seniors Riann Gines (11 kills) and Callie Finlinson (10 kills).

The region leaders go to Hurricane next for a match on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Hurricane 3, Dixie 1

Dixie hosts Hurricane in Region 10 volleyball, St. George, Utah, Sept. 27, 2022 | Photo by Jacqui Knighton, St. George News

At Dixie, the Flyers got off to a strong start, winning the first set 25-23. However, Hurricane rallied to win the next three sets 25-18, 25-22, 25-16.

Hurricane improved to 3-5 in Region 10 play with the comeback win and is now 11-10 overall. The Tigers host Crimson Cliffs on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Flyers fell to 1-7 in Region 10 play, 5-13 overall. Dixie hosts Snow Canyon on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Snow Canyon 3, Pine View 0

At Pine View, the Snow Canyon Warriors swept the Panthers 25-20, 25-23, 25-19.

The Warriors upped their record in region play to 4-3, 9-8 overall. Snow Canyon goes to Dixie on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

With a 1-7 region record, the Panthers are tied with Dixie at the bottom of the standings. The Panthers next play at Desert Hills (6-1 in region, 15-6 overall) on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Last Thursday’s games

Cedar 3, Dixie 0

At Dixie, the Reds swept the Flyers. The first set was close, with Cedar winning 25-23. The Reds won the second set 25-18 and the third set 28-26.

Crimson Cliffs 3, Desert Hills 1

At Desert Hills, the Thunder captured the first set 25-20, after which Crimson Cliffs took over the momentum and won the next three to capture the match, 25-16, 25-19, 29-27. Callie Finlinson led the Mustangs with 14 kills and 42 assists, while teammate Riann Gines added 21 digs.

Hurricane 3, Pine View 0

After winning the marathon first set 32-30, Hurricane went on to sweep the Panthers by posting scores of 25-17 and 25-20 in the last two sets.

Region 10 volleyball standings as of Sept. 28 (region record, overall, RPI ranking)

  1. Crimson Cliffs 7-1, 12-7 (RPI: 5th).
  2. Desert Hills 6-1, 15-6 (RPI: 4th).
  3. Cedar 5-3, 11-6 (RPI: 6th).
  4. Snow Canyon 4-3, 9-8 (RPI: 8th).
  5. Hurricane 3-5, 10-10 (RPI: 7th).
  6. Dixie 1-7, 5-13 (RPI: 10th).
  7. Pine View 1-7, 4-11 (RPI: 11th).

Cedar City News reporter Jeff Richards contributed to this article.

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