Darlenny Pena’s timely serving leads Sierra Vista to Boulder City Invitational title

Junior outside hitter Darlenny Pena provided the spark, serving seven straight points to open the tie-breaker set to lead the Mountain Lions to a 25-16, 21-25, 15-8 win over Bonanza to claim the invitational crown.

“She just came out and was nailing her targets,” head coach Camille McComas said. “We had been struggling trying to find a consistent server to open up our matches, and we’ve gone through about four different kids. She stepped up today, and it’s got to be great for her to be able to come off the bench and produce for us. She deserves kudos because she really stepped up.”

Despite falling into a deep hole in the third set, the Bengals kept fighting and eventually scored three consecutive points to cut the Mountain Lions lead to 13-8. However, Faith Gray-Williams scored a kill to stop the Bengals rally, and Zoey Kriethe’s ace on the next serve ended the match.

“(Winning the tournament) solidified us as a group,” McComas said. “Every kid participated and had a significant role in getting us into the finals, and I’m just thrilled to pieces. It was really a team effort, and I think it will create cohesiveness for the rest of the season.”

Shantalle Demirjian and Aria Holmes were also key forces throughout the match.

“We tried to establish all of our hitters so that they can’t key in on a couple, but there are obviously some strengths,” McComas said. “All the girls know all the positions and the hits, so we’re just trying to develop the whole picture for the kid and just pump up the level of the game.

“(Aria and Shantalle) are two of our leaders. They’re oftentimes go-to kids. They’re fun, they’re dynamic, and they’re intelligent players. I can’t wait to see what they continue to produce here.”

The Mountain Lions were crisp with their serves and passes during the first set as they rolled to the 25-16 win. But in the second, Sierra Vista struggled with those aspects of the game and and fell to Bonanza 21-25.

McComas hopes to focus on the fundamentals as they head into Southwest League play.

“Sometimes some of our fundamental skills, when they go to the wayside, then it slows the direction we’re headed down,” she said. “So once we have our fundamentals strong, and we’re consistent, then we can transition with the best of the teams. We just have to do the fundamentals.”

Taryn Werner had 11 kills to lead the Bengals. Zhanna Colin added seven kills, while Sydney Dunn dished out 22 assists.

Calvary Chapel 1, Lake Mead 0 — At the Boulder City Invitational, Malia Lee and Olivia Kaiser each had thre ekills to carry the Lions over the Eagles, 25-11.

Lexi Davis also had eight assists for Calvary Chapel.

Calvary Chapel 1, Bonanza 0 — At the Boulder City Invitational, Olivia Kaiser’s five kills paced the Lions as they beat the Bengals, 25-14.

Lexi Davis had seven assists and Sara Hernandez had dig digs for Calvary Chapel.

Calvary Chapel 1, The Meadows 0 — At the Boulder City Invitational, Olivia Kaiser had three kills for the Lions in their defeat over the Mustangs.

Cimarron-Memorial 2, Calvary Chapel 1 — At the Boulder City Invitational, Lexi Davis’ 24 assist were not enough as the Spartans topped the Lions, 25-22, 24-26, 16-14.

Sara Hernandez had 11 digs for the Lions and Malia Lee had three kills.

Olivia Kaiser had 20 kills and four aces for Calvary Chapel.