On Tuesday, Oct 9, Sedona volleyball defeated rival Camp Verde in five sets in what was a back-and-forth affair.

After losing captain Mary Westervelt last week to a knee injury, the Scorpions dug deep and grinded out a win on the road.

“I think this game finally brought out the girls’ competitiveness and desire to compete throughout the whole game,” Sedona coach Brenna Barker said.“It is still obvious that we are missing something but players are stepping up in her absence.”  
With Mary out, the Scorpions have also seen bigger contributions from their freshmen players lately.

“I am so proud of them, Emma Beattie is just taking on that middle blocker spot and playing great for us,” Barker said. “Stephanie Medel has been thrown into many different positions and she has taken on every role for us.”

The match was highly contested from the first set as neither team could distance itself from the other.
Camp Verde would eventually come through in the first set and defeated Sedona 25-18.

Sedona responded in the second set by grabbing an early lead on their way to a 25-16 win over Camp Verde.

The third set saw multiple lead changes and the crowd started to get more involved as both teams traded runs.

Sedona led 23-21 but and then 25-24 but the Cowboys would not go away.

After taking the lead, Camp Verde defeated Sedona 28-26 in the third set to take a two sets to one lead.

With their backs against the wall, Sedona came out firing in the fourth set and took an early 6-0 lead.

Sedona’s veteran corps of Kelsey Woellmer, Jaden Fox, Abby Stevenson, Morgan Fritz and Amari Sonn willed the Scorpions to victory in the fourth set.

“Everyone really stepped up tonight in Mary’s absence and I am proud of them,” Barker said. “I am grateful that Kelsey helped in directing the team tonight because Mary’s leadership is crucial.”

The Scorpions would not let up and defeated Camp Verde 25-15 in the fourth set.

In the fifth set, Sedona trailed Camp Verde 10-8 but would reel off four straight points to take a 12-10 lead.

The Scorpions would hold off Camp Verde’s comeback attempt and win the set 15-12 to win the match.

“I was definitely a little anxious heading into the fifth set but I had full confidence that the girls would come through,” Barker said. “ We had the momentum after winning the fourth set, so I told them they would be fine if they kept up their energy.”

The Scorpions last home game is Thursday, October. 18. as the Scorpions host Valley Lutheran.

The match starts at 6 p.m.