The Yerington volleyball team won the one that matter. After losing to Truckee three times during the season, the fourth time was the charm as the Lions beat the Wolverines 26-24, 19-25, 25-16, 25-23 on Saturday in Las Vegas to win their second straight NIAA 3A State championship.
Truckee had won both regular season matches against Yerington and also beat the Lions last week in the Northern 3A finals, but the Lions came through when it mattered the most.
"I was just real proud of the girls," Yerington coach Anna Aiazzi said. "They came her to win and to defend their championship and they did. They came to play like the champions I know they were and are.
"We've been telling them all year the only game that really matters is the last one you play."
Kayla Lommori played virtually a flawless match for Yerington, finishing with 25 kills and just three hitting errors for a hitting percentage above 75 percent.
Lommori also made just two defensive errors as she added 10 blocks. "She had a pretty incredible game," Aiazzi said. "They didn't slow her down."
But just as important was the team effort defensively. Yerington blocked much better this time around than it did in the other matches with Truckee. Dama Cox added nine kills and four blocks and Kiara Ross contributed two blocks.
"We hadn't blocked the way we needed to," said Aiazzi about the earlier matches. "They played better defense than I've seen them play all season."
Yerington was also led by the all-around play of setter Bre Tognoli, who had 31 assists. "I think our senior setter did a really good job," Aiazzi said.
Among the defensive leaders was libero Courtney Clifton. Yerington overcame deficits in the first and fourth games.
The Lions trailed 18-11 in game one before coming back. Yerington was down 23-21 in game four. But Lommori was able to rotate back to the front row and Angela Marracini served out the match. On match point it was Lommori who took advantage of a pass Truckee couldn't control to put away the kill that gave Yerington the title.