Outside-hitter Wardle leads Mesa to victory

Coach Brent Martindale and the Lady Thunderbirds won a thrilling four-set match against Coach Dan Bithell and the Lady Aztecs in front of a raucous crowd at Theo Heap Gym on Friday night, September 16.

Mesa won 25-17, 25-15, 22-25, 25-22 to take it in four sets.

"It was nice to get a win in front of the home crowd tonight.  The girls played great and I can't thank the student-athletes enough for coming out and supporting our girls because it means alot," says Coach Martindale. 

The freshman out of Tonopah HS and OH for Coach Martindale's squad hit for three aces in a row at one point during set two and made thunderous kill after thunderous kill for the Lady T'Birds in front of a rousing crowd of Mesa footballers and fans. 

Now volleyball is a team game and Ms. Wardle didn't do it alone as her supporting cast was remarkable tonight and showed great resolve after losing the third set, then finding the strength to put their opponent away in the fourth.

Mesa football players, men's and women's basketball players were seen in attendance rooting on their teammates at Theo Heap Gym on this night, which has become more customary these days. 

Sophomore MB Jacy Miller played outstanding as did sophomore MB Jessica Iniguez.  Iniguez was on point all night with her service. 

Sophomore L Lexi Peru dug ball after ball for Mesa and freshman S Kristine Dang set her hitters all night, even after taking a nasty spill into the scoretable in set three. 

The supporting cast of sophomore OH Sydney Burgett, freshman OH Sarah Potts, freshman S Chelsey Hall, OH Erin Gale, L Andrea Prieto, L Caitlin Smith, and MB Haley Tonn all came through with a gutsy performance to get a much-needed victory for the Lady T'Birds. 

Mesa took a two sets to none lead before the Lady Aztecs stormed back to win set three behind the stellar play of OH Kaylee Rakowski and MB Kendra Hall. 

However, the roar of the crowd would be behind the ladies all night, and Mesa would answer in set four and win going away. 

There's no rest for the weary as it's back to practice and a game in Thatcher against Eastern next Tuesday, September 20 at 7:00 p.m.