Based on recent history, 2023 should go down as a successful season for the Patagonia High volleyball team.
The Lobos’ 11-7 record represents their most victories in a season since 2016.
But one not-so-tiny obstacle prevented them from their stated goal of qualifying for the state tournament: Tucson Southeast Region rival St. David.
For the second season in a row, St. David defeated Patagonia in the 1A Southern Super Regional, ending the Lobos’ season with a 25-14, 25-17, 25-10 loss.
St. David is a small-school juggernaut. The Tigers entered the Super Regional as the top-ranked team in Class 1A with a 16-1 record, their only loss coming against 2A Benson. They did not lose a single set to region opponents, and they followed up their victory over Patagonia with a 25-6, 25-6, 25-8 demolition of Desert Christian in the Super Regional championship game.
In a cruel twist of scheduling fate, St. David also provided the opposition for Patagonia’s home finale on Oct. 19.
The Lobos came into the match with a perfect 6-0 record in their home gym. Senior Night came complete with balloons, flowers, and bleachers packed with family and friends. What it did not include was a season-making victory for the Lobos.
The Lobos displayed some first-set jitters, forcing coach Stephanie Padilla to call a timeout after they quickly fell behind 9-1.
“I think we had a lot of emotion tonight,” Padilla said. “It was our last (home) game, we played a little timid at first. We missed some serves that we shouldn’t have missed.”
The Lobos regrouped and played St. David tough the rest of the way, even holding a lead for much of the third game. But the taller Tigers eventually pulled away for a 25-14, 25-20, 25-21 victory. No team in the region had scored as many as 20 points in a game against St. David all season.
“The third game we played a lot better,” Padilla said. “I think they were about to cry the whole night because this was their last (home) game.”
Patagonia entered the postseason knowing it would have to win the Super Regional to advance to state. The Lobos cruised past Ray in the quarterfinals by scores of 25-16, 25-19, 25-19. Their reward, however, was the season-ending rematch with St. David the following night.
More than the two losses to St. David, Padilla said the Lobos were haunted by some inconsistent play in road matches that cost them valuable points in the state rankings.
“We lost some games on the road that we should have won,” Padilla said. “We just haven’t traveled and played well.”
The Lobos honored five seniors at the conclusion of the Senior Night: Janelle Valenzuela, Jenny Vasquez, Heaven Day, Alexis De La Ossa, and Aliyah Gallardo. But they’ll return four younger players who were fixtures in the lineup: sophomores Alexis Fimbrez, Emma Lewton and Brianna Majalca and freshman Amaya Somoza.
“This group of seniors is a good group,” Padilla said. “They work hard. They give it their all in practice and games, and they’re a close group. I’m gonna miss them.”