Canyon del Oro took a commanding lead in the 4A Kino Region thanks to a dramatic 3-1 (25-17, 11-25, 25-22, 25-21) win over Salpointe on Monday night. CDO improved to 9-2 in power-ranking matches and 5-0 in region play while Salpointe fell to 2-1 in region play but the Lancers remain firm with an 8-2 overall record.

The Lancers have huge victories over 5A power Cienega and 6A power Rincon/University which accounts for an impressive No. 5 ranking in the 4A Conference. The Dorados came into the match ranked No. 7.

The Dorados slowly pulled away to take the first set 25-17 but Salpointe dominated the second set from the beginning to win it 25-11. The third set was where all the action was.

Down 21-17, the Dorados went on an 8-1 run to take the set 25-22 for a 2-1 lead. The Dorados scored on a service error to start the comeback and that was followed by back-to-back kills by Jade Romine and another by Eve Pearson to tie the set up 21-21.

The Lancers scored on a service error to go back up 22-21 but a side-out followed by an ace from Jordan Mapp put the Dorados up 23-22 and Salpointe was unable to recover.

The deciding set went back and forth with each team working to a 19-19 tie and the Dorados closed out on a 6-2 run for the 25-21 win.

The two teams will have a rematch on Oct. 26 but CDO will host 6A No. 11 Rincon/UHS (8-4, 1-0) on Wednesday. Since the region might end up in a tie, every match is important for tie-breaking reasons. Salpointe will host No. 14 Catalina Foothills (5-5, 1-1) on Wednesday.

In 5A Southern action, No. 3 Sahuaro (9-01, 3-0) will travel to No. 2 Ironwood Ridge (9-2, 2-1) on Wednesday night and to No. 4 Cienega (10-2, 2-1) on Thursday night. The region could be decided this week or it can get messy.

In 5A Sonoran play, No. 23 Marana (5-5, 3-0) hosts No. 25 Poston Butte (6-4, 3-0) on Wednesday to see which team will take control of the standings.

Catalina Foothills is hosting the Lady Falcon Invitational on this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7-8.