MV seniors have state title aspirations

FORT DEFIANCE

It’s been three years since the Monument Valley Lady Mustangs have held a state championship trophy in the sport of volleyball.

That 2014 championship team had eight seniors on that squad. This year’s version has some similarities, as fifth-year coach Rennell Gilmore is top heavy with seniors.

“We have a squad of 11 seniors so we have girls that have experience,” Gilmore said. “They all know what they have to do if they want to win another state title.”

Last year, the Mustangs ended their season prematurely in the opening round of the Arizona 3A state volleyball tournament, losing to Tucson Sabino. While trailing 2-1 in sets, Sabino rallied and defeated MV in five sets.

“That was a heartbreaker,” Gilmore said. “That was the first time for me going out in the first round. We do not want to repeat that.”

Monument Valley middle hitters Ki-Anna McCabe and Lakeshia Begay said losing the way they did didn’t settle well for the entire Mustang team.

“We just beat ourselves,” McCabe said. “It was mainly communication and with it being our senior year we want to win state.”

“We’re coming back more focused and more determined,” Begay chimed in.

Both players were instrumental in MV’s recent conference win over Window Rock last Saturday. The Mustangs won in straight sets but they needed a few words of encouragement to get going as they emerged with a 25-23, 25-15, 25-14 win.

While trailing 8-2 in the second set, Gilmore utilized one of her timeouts to settle her team.

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