The Big Park girls volleyball team won it big in the district championships and earned a spot in the State Small Schools tournament.

The Coyotes won the Tri-Valley Regional Volleyball Championship on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Big Park Community School in the Village of Oak Creek.

Big Park defeated Clarkdale-Jerome’s Mingus Rams in three games to claim the winning title in the double-elimination tournament.

“Big Park girls played great offensive and defensive volleyball against their friendly Clarkdale rival,” said Shelley Woellmer, Big Park volleyball head coach.

The Coyotes finished the regular season with 13 wins and one loss.

The Clarkdale-Jerome Mingus Rams took second place at the tournament, finishing the regular season with 11 wins and three losses. The Camp Verde Cowboys placed third after a series of three tournament wins and one loss in the championship tournament.

Because of its first rank seeding, Big Park drew a bye the first round of play.

Other Verde Valley teams who advanced to the second round with Big Park were Camp Verde, Mayer and Clarkdale-Jerome, after beating West Sedona School, 2-0.

Big Park defeated the Mayer Wildcats in two sets to advance to the championship game.

After a tough struggle, Clarkdale beat the second-seeded Camp Verde Cowboys in three games to advance to the championship match against Big Park.

“Over the years, Big Park and Clarkdale-Jerome teams have met in the championship match many times,” Woellmer said. “Both of our teams play the same kind of game strategy: pass, set and hit hard. Therefore, our matches with Clarkdale-Jerome are competitive, hard-hitting and fun. Our Big Park girls came to play hard with heart, determination and focus.”

The set scores of the final championship match were 25-18, 25-23 and 15-7.

For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Oct. 31 issue of the Red Rock News.