SUNSET REGION: Gorman rebounds, downs Centennial for title

Bishop Gorman’s Gianna Ruggeroli wasn’t pleased with her performance in the first two sets of Friday’s Division I Sunset Region volleyball championship at Green Valley.

But when the Gaels allowed Centennial to tie the score at one set apiece, the junior outside hitter decided it was time to take over.

She did just that, serving for four aces in five points in the third set to help Gorman regain momentum.

The Gaels dominated the rest of the way to defeat the Bulldogs, 25-13, 20-25, 25-11, 25-15. The win lifted Gorman (24-9) into the state tournament next weekend in Reno.

“I did it for the team,” said Ruggeroli, who finished with 12 blocks and five aces. “I knew I wasn’t playing my best. But I knew I could control my serves, so that’s what I did.”

Gorman, which dominated the first set, needed Ruggeroli’s heroics after the Bulldogs (19-15) overcame a 19-18 deficit for a second-set win.

“After the second set, we talked about relaxing and not getting too cocky,” Ruggeroli said. “We decided just to let the game come to us.”

Gaels coach Ed Van Meetren said he knew Ruggeroli was capable of pulling his squad out of its rut.

“Gianna is probably the most athletic player we’ve had,” he said. “When we can get her under control, she can be electric.”

Van Meetren said the second-set loss motivated not only Ruggeroli but also his entire team.

“We started to lose our focus,” he said. “Maybe we weren’t giving (the Bulldogs) the respect they deserved. But once we got that focus, we went on a roll over the last two sets.”