Centennial ousts banged-up champion

Centennial had earned its way into a tough fight with defending state volleyball champion Palo Verde, but the Bulldogs also took advantage of a situation during their 25-10, 24-26, 14-25, 25-21, 15-7 victory during a Sunset Regional semifinal match Thursday at Silverado.

Centennial plays Shadow Ridge for the Sunset title at 7 p.m. today. The Mustangs advanced with a 25-15, 25-14, 18-25, 25-17 victory over Bonanza in a match that ended at about 11:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The Bulldogs were trailing the Panthers 2-1 in games but were leading 17-16 in the fourth game when Palo Verde perennial all-stater Joe Kauliakamoa had to leave the floor because of severe cramps. The Bulldogs then reeled off five consecutive points and went on to claim the fourth game.

Then, in the fifth game, Kauliakamoa returned for the first points but again had to be helped off the court because of cramping. The Bulldogs then registered nine straight points and knocked the state champions out of postseason play.

"Our offense was functioning at a pretty high level," Centennial coach Scott Nelson said. "We were passing the ball, and, on our serving, we came back and got something in toward the end."

Kauliakamoa had 24 kills, eight digs and five aces but didn't dominate. Breyden Burley, who had 14 digs and 13 kills for the Bulldogs, had two digs on powerful Kauliakamoa returns while pursuing Centennial's 20th first-game point.

"You're never going to stop Joe completely, but what we try to do is take some plays off of him," Nelson said. "Offensively, I thought he was the dominant force in the match, but toward the end our defensive system was stepping forward and creating those opportunities to score points."

Mike Tagliaferri had 39 assists and four aces and Chandler Tidwell 13 kills for Centennial.

Las Vegas won its Sunrise Regional semifinal over Green Valley, 25-17, 20-25, 29-27, 14-25, 15-10, as Colin Pretlow had 16 kills, 21 assists and 12 digs. He registered the Wildcats' final kill of the fifth game while teammate Mark Lane made the match-ending block.

"Colin is a warrior when he gets on the court, whether it's football, basketball or volleyball," Las Vegas coach Sue Thurman said.

Lane had eight blocks and four kills and Spencer Robb 18 digs and nine kills for Vegas.

Kris Mitchell had 24 kills and Joey Repetti 58 assists to lead the Gators.

Silverado was another five-game winner in a Sunrise semifinal match, triumphing over Coronado, 25-21, 29-31, 25-14, 18-25, 15-13.

Richie Arguello took over offensively and defensively for the Skyhawks with 39 assists, 33 digs and five kills.

"He wouldn't quit, no matter what," Silverado coach Eric Drum said of Arguello.

David Royal had a team-best 15 kill for the Skyhawks, and teammate Mike Habura had 17 blocks and six kills.

Derek Gradillas had 12 kills and four blocks and Jake Koelliker 42 assists for the Cougars.