RENO - Galena High School isn't backing into the Northern 4A zone volleyball tournament, by any means.
The Grizzlies, already assured of first-place in Division I coming into its final regular season match, picked up some more momentum at home Saturday with a stirring comeback to defeat Elko in a five-set thriller.
After dropping the first two games, Galena came back to win the match 4-15, 13-15, 15-13, 15-10, 15-10.
"It's always nice to win your last match coming into zone," Galena coach Teresa Burrows said. "I thought the kids showed a lot of character and poise to come back and win those last three games. They played hard and they had some key hits at the end."
The Grizzlies now prepare for the zone tournament, which begins Thursday at Galena, as the No. 1 seed from Division I with a 13-4 record (21-11 overall).
Elko (10-7) had been eliminated from Division I title contention Friday with a three-set loss at Carson. The Indians finished second in Division I.
Whitney Williams and Kirsten Drury put down 20 and 19 kills, respectively, to supply firepower at the net. Kellie Burton also had 14 kills. Setter Lauren Wallace handed out 51 assists and Drury came up with 14 digs to lead Galena's defense.
"It was a total team effort," Burrows said.
Elko was led by the all-around performance of Amanda Basanez, who was credited with 20 kills, nine blocks, 14 digs and 31 assists. Krystal Thacker contributed 19 kills and 27 digs.
3A Division I Cross Country
ELKO - Five Fernley High School runners have another week remaining in their season after posting qualifying marks at the 3A Division I Cross Country Championships Friday in Spring Creek.
Brian Reeder, Kera Claar, Elizabeth Ashley, Fury Freeman and Rachel Tanner all earned individual qualifying berths to the 3A state meet next week at Reed High School in Sparks.
Reeder finished 12th in the boys race with a time of 22 minutes, 55 seconds over the 5,000-meter course at Spring Creek Golf Course.
Claar finished sixth in the girls race with a 26:48 effort, Ashley was 15th in 31:30, Daniels 18th in 36:13 and Tanner 19th in 40:50.
Fernley finished fifth in the boys team standings and didn't field a complete team in the girls race. Spring Creek won both the girls and boys team titles.