TUCSON – The Pima Community College volleyball team closed out the regular season in impressive fashion, rallying from a set down to defeat Glendale Community College (13-6, 10-2) in four sets and hand the Gauchos just their second ACCAC conference loss of the season.
The Aztecs overcame an opening-set setback, winning three consecutive sets to secure a momentum-building victory heading into postseason play.
Glendale controlled much of the opening set, although Pima battled back to tie the score five times. With the teams deadlocked at 18-18, the Gauchos scored three unanswered points and maintained their narrow advantage to take a 1-0 match lead.
Pima turned the tables in the second set. Trailing early, the Aztecs grabbed their first lead at 13-11 following a kill by freshman Amaris Biancuzzo (Mica Mountain HS) and two Glendale hitting errors.
Sophomore Addison Gilvin (Sahuarita HS) and freshman Victoria Page followed with consecutive kills to extend Pima’s advantage to 18-13. Leading 21-18, the Aztecs closed out the set with four straight points, including a kill by Biancuzzo, to even the match at one set apiece.
The Aztecs carried that momentum into the third set, leading from start to finish.
Freshman Ansley Snyder (Canyon del Oro HS) sparked the offense with three early kills, while sophomore Alexandra Jacome (Canyon del Oro HS) added a service ace to help Pima build a 9-4 advantage.
Sophomore Alexia Hutchens (Salpointe Catholic HS) delivered two consecutive kills to extend the lead to 18-10. Glendale responded with a run that trimmed the deficit to 19-15, but Gilvin came up with two crucial blocks to help Pima pull away and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
The fourth set provided the afternoon’s biggest drama.
Glendale broke a tie with six unanswered points to take a 15-9 lead and later stretched its advantage to 19-13, putting the Aztecs in danger of being forced into a deciding fifth set.
Pima refused to fold.
Freshman Skylar Westburg delivered two key kills as the Aztecs rattled off four straight points to climb back into contention.
Still trailing 22-19, Pima turned to Biancuzzo, who delivered three consecutive points with a kill and two blocks to tie the score at 22-22.
With the match hanging in the balance, Snyder came through with a clutch kill before Gilvin delivered the decisive block to complete the comeback and seal the victory.
Aztecs Deliver Balanced Performance
Biancuzzo led Pima’s offensive attack with a team-high 13 kills and four blocks, while Page contributed 12 kills and three blocks. Snyder added 10 kills and two blocks.
Freshman Leah Stoneking (Catalina Foothills HS) anchored the defense with 21 digs and three service aces.
Sophomore Breeze Schelter recorded a double-double with 21 assists and 12 digs while adding three aces. Jacome contributed 18 assists, eight digs and two aces.
Rematch Set for Region I Tournament
The victory gives Pima a boost heading into the NJCAA Region I, Division II Tournament, where the Aztecs will enter as the No. 3 seed.
In an immediate rematch, Pima will travel to Glendale on Wednesday to face the No. 2-seeded Gauchos at 7 p.m.
After closing the regular season with a comeback victory over one of the conference’s top teams, the Aztecs will look to carry that momentum into postseason competition.
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