There are times when the opposition just has too much working for it.
It doesn’t matter how well a team plays it is not going to happen.
The Desert Vista girls volleyball team ran into exactly that situation on Thursday night at Xavier and couldn’t do much about it in a 25-20, 25-11 and 25-20 loss in the Division I quarterfinals.
The Gators (33-10) were not only trying to recapture the state title after missing out last season to stop a four-year run, but they were also playing the last home match in Xavier coach Tim McHale’s illustrious 23-year coaching tenure with the program.
Eleventh-seeded Desert Vista (31-13) had leads early in all three matches, but were unable to sustain it. In Games 1 and 3, the Thunder were able to make runs at the end to make it interesting, but Game 2 showed the Gators’ strength.
Desert Vista led 5-4, but a long rally won by the Gators for a 6-5 advantage ignited a 20-6 run to finish it. Xavier had players contributing from all over the floor and that is when it is at its best.
The loss ends the careers of eight seniors for the Thunder.
