Douglas volleyball beats Fallon

RENO - The top-seed Douglas volleyball team completed the Sierra League's sweep over the High Desert League Friday night in downing fourth-seed Fallon in three games in the first round of the Northern Region tournament at Galena.

The Tigers, which won 25-13, 27-25 and 25-23, advance to the semifinals and will face Damonte Ranch today at 2 p.m. Damonte Ranch, the third seed, beat Bishop Manogue in five games.

Douglas' defense sent a dagger to Fallon's hopes of pulling off the upset after watching Carson beat the HDL's No. 1 team, McQueen.

"The momentum just switched sides all of a sudden," Fallon coach Monica Meihack-Schmutz said. "I'm certainly not disappointed. It was a different match than the last time we met. They've improved so much."

After a disastrous first game, Fallon led most of the second and had three chances to win.

Jourdan Burke's kill cut the Greenwave's lead to 24-23, allowing the Tigers' defense to come back on the next point and tie the game.

Tosha Nunes hit a thundering kill from the left side and Fallon celebrated as if Nunes had just won the game. Douglas came back with a scrappy dig and Megan Mitchell passed the ball over the net into an empty court, vacated by Fallon.

"That was certainly the momentum killer for us because we thought we won it," Meihack-Schmutz said. "I just feel like the only other thing was a mental breakdown. We had problems finishing."

The Greenwave, though, had another game point at 25-24 after Nunes' kill, but Mary Lombino and Burke blocked the senior outside hitter. Burke's ace off a surprised Nichole Rothery sealed the win.