Galena spikers advance to finals

The Galena High volleyball team is one match away from defending its NIAA 4A state title.

Galena advanced to the state title match with a 25-22, 25-22, 18-25, 25-20 win over Coronado in the semifinals on Friday at Canyon Springs High in Las Vegas. The Grizzlies advanced to meet Bishop Gorman, a 25-18, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23 winner over Silverado, in today's championship match at 4 p.m.

"We played well offensively," Galena coach Teresa Burrows said.

Julia Mailander had 18 kills, two aces and 10 digs and Lydia Mailander added 14 kills and three aces for Galena. Also for the Grizzlies, Nancy Burrows had 12 kills, 11 digs and three blocks, Margot Ward had three aces and 11 digs, Amy Scott had five blocks and Thalia McCann added 40 assists and four blocks. "Everybody played solid all the way around," Burrows said.

Burrows said her team did struggle with ball control in game three. "We didn't pass the ball very well in the third game," she said. "Overall they couldn't stop us. It was a battle, very exciting, a lot of fun."

Galena split its two matches with Bishop Gorman early in the year. Burrows said she would like to see her team improve its passing and blocking against Gorman.

"They're very scrappy," said Burrows about Gorman. "We're going to have to have good ball control. I think the kids are excited and hopefully we can stay focused."