Postseason honors pouring in for MV Mustangs
FORT DEFIANCE
Monument Valley senior Taylor Worker led the section with 426 digs, 52 aces, 27 blocks and 280 kills. Worker is one of four seniors that have verbally committed to continue their volleyball career at the collegiate level. (File photo)
Postseason accolades continue to pour in for Arizona Division III volleyball state champions Monument Valley Mustangs.
Monument Valley knocked off four opponents en route to earning the program’s ninth state title. The Mustangs completed the season 30-2 overall. The Mustangs were 17-1 within their division and 6-0 in their section.
“This year’s team did a job well done,” said Monument Valley head coach Rennell Gilmore. “The girls worked hard all off season, which showed tremendously within the season. We had a tough schedule this past season which helped us out for the better.”
Gilmore said when the 2013 season ended with a loss to Cactus in the state tournament quarterfinals, the girls said next year would be the year and it was.
“When final cuts were made, I knew from there that this team was it and would bring home that ninth state championship,” Gilmore said.
After winning the championship game, I brought them together one more time and told them, ‘Like I told you girls from day one, here it is.’ I’m so proud of the girls and what they accomplished together as a team.”
Gilmore said each girl had their own unique value to the team and for them to enjoy each other like sisters was an amazing thing to see.
“We’re all sad that the season had to come to an end, but, man, it was a wonderful ride to be on and to experience,” she said.
Four Monument Valley seniors have verbally committed to continue their volleyball career at the college level.
Senior middle hitter/outside hitter Ohiyah Shirley, senior outside hitter/middle hitter Taylor Worker, senior middle blocker Kaitlyn Wayne and junior libero Shayla Yazzie were instrumental in leading Monument Valley this year.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow