The Big Park Community School volleyball team completed its journey Saturday, Oct. 23, claiming the Verde Valley Athletic Association Small Schools Championships title.
After easy victories over Mayer Middle School and Clarkdale-Jerome School earlier in the day, the Coyotes made quick work of Beaver Creek School in the championship, 2-0.
“Our biggest goal was to create a team here, and that’s exactly what happened,” first-year Big Park Head Coach Kerry Burkhart said after the match. “Every single girl contributed this season.”
With the victory, Big Park finished the season a perfect 14-0 in 2010, having lost only one game [28-1] to West Sedona School on Sept. 23.
In front of a sellout crowd at Big Park, the Coyotes took a 14-4 lead before Beaver Creek finally called a timeout. Big Park eventually took game one 25-10, and had no trouble in game two, 25-13, to take the match, 2-0.
With celebration hugs, big smiles and a chance to represent their school at state this coming weekend, the Coyotes couldn’t contain themselves after winning the Small Schools Championships.
“This was our goal from the beginning, volleyball is a team sport and our girls played just about as well as they could as a team this season,” Burkhart said while being constantly mugged by players and parents on the court Saturday.
Standouts in Saturday’s championship match for Big Park included Jillian Ziebellz who had nine assists, three kills and three ace serves.
Big Park as a team had 21 ace serves against the Bobcats, almost half the points earned on Saturday.
Samantha Burkhart had five kills and three ace serves while McKenna Woodford had five kills and four ace serves. Hannah Johnson was outstanding as well, recording two kills, three ace serves and two digs.
Hannah Muise also chipped in with four assists, three digs, one kill and three ace serves.
Receiving all-tournament team for Big Park were Burkhart and Ziebellz, awards announced by Big Park Athletic Director Diana Morrison.
Next up for the Coyotes, Big Park will play in the State Championships held in Clarkdale come Friday,
Oct. 29. The tournament runs through Saturday, Oct. 30.
“We’re looking forward to it. There will be a lot of competition; some of those teams coming to this tournament are very good and very well-coached,” Burkhart said.
Information was unavailable at press time regarding tournament bracket or who the Coyotes play to begin the tournament this weekend.
