6A State Finals: Impact Players
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The 6A State finals last weekend were between program powerhouse Jesuit High School and first-time champions Sheldon High School. The Sheldon Irish battled and beat the Jesuit Crusaders in four sets (23-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-15). To recap the match, we…
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Continue ReadingThe 6A State finals last weekend were between program powerhouse Jesuit High School and first-time champions Sheldon High School.
The Sheldon Irish battled and beat the Jesuit Crusaders in four sets (23-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-15).
To recap the match, we will be identifying and highlighting players from each team that were impact players for the team. Although the Irish came out on top, the Crusaders also had some athletes with great performances in the match.
SHELDON HIGH SCHOOL
The four-year varsity setter for the Sheldon Irish Bruegman has been running a 6-2 opposite Lewey for her senior season. Staying in to hit on the right side, her play has been vital in the Irish seeing so much success this season. In the State finals, Bruegman posted 11 kills on 27 swings with only 3 errors, hitting a .296, had 36 assists, 13 service attempts with 2 errors and a service ace, and had 2 digs and a block.
Bruegman has been a rock for the back row for the Sheldon Irish the past two seasons as their primary libero. During the State finals, she showed steady play from point one and was a major factor in the Irish being able to keep up with the multiple offensive weapons the Crusaders have. Bruegman amassed 2 service aces on 15 serves with 2 errors and had 20 digs. Most impressive was her serve receive, which was incredibly consistent, across 37 receptions she only tallied 3 errors, passing a spectacular .925.
Fife has been a dominant six-rotation attacker for the Sheldon Irish all season long. During the State finals, she proved reliable in every aspect of the game. Shouldering an offensive load, taking the most swings of anyone on the team, she proved fairly unstoppable. Taking 36 swings, she totaled 17 kills with 6 errors, hitting a .306. A beach player committed to the University of Utah, her court vision and ability to see holes in the defense, makes her shots, tips, and swings, hard to stop. Fife also posted 10 digs, had 15 service attempts with 2 errors, and a service ace, plus her serve receive was insanely consistent with 20 service receptions and a mere 2 errors. It is clear from this showing why Fife would also be honored with Moda Health Player of the Match
Wood has been a key factor in the Sheldon Irish’s offense since her freshman season. A bouncy and athletic middle blocker with an explosive swing, she has proved herself as a top middle blocker in the State. Her attacking during the State finals was nearly perfect, with an insanely impressive 18 kills from 26 swings and no errors, the senior hit a .692. In fact, Wood posted the most kills and had the best hitting percentage of anyone on the team. She also had 21 service attempts with an ace and an error, plus 5 digs. It seemed fitting that the final play of the match was a set from Beaux Bruegman Beaux Bruegman 5'10" | S Sheldon | 2023 OR to Wood to seal the first State Championship in Sheldon’s school history.
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
Highlights
Azavedo has taken over the reins from graduating senior Maisie Alexander as the primary libero for the Jesuit Crusaders. Bouncing back from an injury her freshman season, the sophomore has had a breakout season. During the State finals, she posted 4 service aces on 22 attempts with 3 errors, had 10 digs, and proved reliable on serve receive with 14 receptions and only 2 errors passing a .875.
O’Loughlin has been a steady pin hitter for the Jesuit Crusaders since her sophomore season. However, this season she has shouldered a larger load as a returning stater. During the State finals, O’Loughlin had a breakout match, proving lethal on the attack and steady across the back row. For the Crusaders, she posted 18 kills on 36 swings with only 4 errors, hitting a .389, had 11 digs, 2 blocks, and had 23 service receptions with only 2 errors, passing a .920. Given her standout match, O’Loughling was also named Moda Health Player of the Match
Patterson has grown into a top six-rotation outside hitter coming out of Oregon and for the Jesuit Crusaders has been a major impact player. While her attacking during the State finals was not as dominant as it typically is, she found other ways to contribute to the team. The senior posted 13 kills on 51 swings with 5 errors, hitting a .157, struggling to put the ball away against a tough Irish defense. However, she was consistent from the service line with 10 attempts and no errors, had 6 digs, and 18 service receptions with only one error, passing a .947.