Campo Verde volleyball cruises to sweep of Fairfax
September 21, 2021 by Tanner Tortorella, Arizona State University
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Tanner Tortorella is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Campo Verde High School for AZPreps365.com.
The Campo Verde Coyotes finished Tuesday's night match against Betty H. Fairfax in quick fashion, sweeping the three sets: (25-12, 25-11, 25-8).
The Coyotes entered the match coming off a 2-3 tournament record and needed a momentum boost. That is precisely what they did as they kept their tempo up, and head coach Tayler Bader Peterson saw flashes of what she expects from the team.
"They're coming together as a team," Peterson said. "We are able to create and build that team chemistry and get their business done."
Campo Verde (9-10) quickly got their business done, as they began the first set with a high-pace tempo attacking Fairview effectively. The duo of outside hitters, senior Addison Haluska and junior Gillian Bachali, were the main contributors to the Coyotes offense. Combining for 12 kills in the first set, they made their presence felt early.
"It is just a way to set an example," Bachali said of the pair's offensive success. "As long as we try our hardest, everyone else will, everyone follows."
Haluska and Bachali share a strong influence over the team as leaders by example. As team captain, Haluska knows she has to lead by example and is up for the challenge, leading the squad in kills with 195 this season. The two veteran strikers led to a smooth sailing first set with a score of 25-12.
Entering the second set, it was more of the same story as the Coyotes began and ended the set on 8-1 runs. Junior libero Beigh Alexander was extra active with two aces and seven digs to ultimately hold the momentum. The usual suspect in Haluska struck again, leading the team with four kills in the second set.
"She's always aggressive, which is great, but she's also a great kid and great captain," Peterson said of Haluska. "So being able to have that along being a great athlete makes it a lot easier for the girls to follow an example like that."
The Fresno State commit Haluska showcased her impressive power in set two to give Campo Verde a 25-11 second set victory to extend the match lead 2-0.
"We did really good, playing up to our level and playing as a team," Haluska said. "Trying a lot of different things in this game."
An injury to one of Campo's middle blockers initially stalled Campo Verde at the beginning of the third set. Fairview got their first lead of the match and held it for the beginning of the set to 6-5. The Coyotes were having trouble adjusting to new substitutions, and the Stampede were taking advantage.
"We had to put some bench players out there, kids who aren't usually used to starting," Peterson said. "But once they responded and understood that, it was just a really good game."
Campo Verde responded powerfully. Once adjusted, the Coyotes went on a 20-2 run that would close the game. A balanced attack from the outside hitters and others like senior opposite hitter Sage Villone with three kills to help propel them to a 25-8 final set win to sweep the Stampede (0-9).
Campo earns a nice win to gain momentum heading into next week, where they have their eyes on a highly anticipated match against Gilbert (19-7) that should be an immense test for the team. Bachali mentioned how they need to carry the energy off this win, and Haluska echoes the sentiment.
"This was a good start to our week, but there is a lot more that needs [to be] build off of this," Haluska said.