Juneau-Douglas High School senior Leah Spargo had her best game since injuring her ankle in last month’s J.I.V.E. tournament as JDHS defeated TMHS 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-15) Friday night in Ketchikan.
It was the second match of the Region V Tournament that ended on Saturday.
Spargo completed eight kills and 15 digs while Cassie Dzinich cashed in on 15 kills and 15 digs.
The Falcons led during just two brief moments in the entire game. After losing the first set, Maxie Saceda-Hurt scored the go-ahead point to break a 2-2 tie in the second set. JDHS immediately tied the game. The Falcons furnished a 7-6 lead shortly after, but again the Crimson Bears immediately snuffed out the TMHS lead. After trading several points with the Falcons, the Crimson Bears went on a 9-2 run to take control of the game and go up 2-0 in sets.
The Friday before the match, the Crimson Bears put the Falcons in a 2-0 jam before losing three in a row before their home fans. This time though, JDHS wouldn’t let the lead slip away. The Crimson Bears squeezed the life from their crosstown opponent by going on a 10-1 run to open the third set.
TMHS went on to beat Ketchikan High School 3-0 this morning (25-3, 25-9, 25-9) to head to a 2 p.m. Region V final against JDHS. TMHS has never won the Region V title.
Since JDHS is undefeated heading into the title game, meaning TMHS will need to win both a best of five match and a 30-point overtime match to secure their first title. JDHS needs only to win the 2 p.m. best of five match.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the match between JDHS and TMHS was the first match of the Region V Tournament. It was the second match in the Region V Tournament.
• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nolin.ainsworth@juneauempire.com.
