Santa Fe ousts Dickinson in straight sets

SANTA FE Lady Indians coach Anna Marie Milligan rarely gets off her seat during volleyball matches. She prefers the calm and collected approach.

But when Katie Marabella sent a rocket past the two Dickinson players Tuesday for a vital point in the first set, Milligan couldnt help herself. The 33-year veteran coach got up and cheered with a wide-eyed smile, knowing the importance of the play.

Marabellas hit ignited Santa Fe not only to its first lead of the match, but a convincing straight-set sweep of the Class 5A and longtime rival Lady Gators, 25-12, 30-28, 25-22. Milligan remained in her chair the rest of the night, mostly content in what was a complete game for Santa Fe offensively and defensively, proving the Lady Indians will be a force in Class 4A volleyball.

That was a screamer; I dont think anybody could have gotten that, Milligan said. That kind of hit is a momentum changer. After, we just played a total team game, which is just how you want it. A great win for us.

Marabellas kill, her second of a game-high 18, tied the game at seven after the Lady Indians fell behind 5-1. It also provided the second point in an impressive 10-1 run that sent Santa Fe (17-6) to an easy Game 1 victory.

In fact, Marabella had only one rotation off the back row the entire set.

I guess it was adrenaline, Marabella said. Dickinson over the years has been a big rival, and now that theyre in 5A, a higher classification than us, so we really wanted to win.

Dickinson (15-4) recovered nicely and forced a scintillating Game 2 that featured 13 ties and eight lead changes. The Lady Gators rallied from a 22-19 deficit thanks to two uncharacteristic Santa Fe errors.

But after a timeout, the Lady Indians regained form, and the teams exchanged long rallies that featured dives and incredible digs. The two liberos Dickinsons Shelbee Berringer and Santa Fes Kelli Hadley matched each other tit for tat.

Berringer saved a rally with a one-armed swing, while Hadley got the dig of the night. The senior somehow slid the back of her hand under a ball that seemed destined for a point and still managed to get enough power to pass the ball to setter Lindsey Martindale (21 assists, nine digs, two blocks). Both Berringer and Hadley had 24 digs.

Santa Fe middle blocker Tiffany Thomas came up big several times, too. She tied the game at 24 and 25 with a pair of kills. She also gave the Lady Indians the lead twice with blocks. Thomas finished the game with 11 kills and a whopping eight blocks.

Dickinsons Kristy Rardin also played great. She had two kills in a row to tie the game and give the Lady Gators their last lead of the night at 28-27.

Thats when Marabella, once again, came through. She got a kill and then made a nice dig she had 20 on the evening to give Santa Fe the lead. Dickinson committed an unforced error, its ninth of the second set, to end the game.

Katies one of our go-to players, Milligan said. When we need a point, she almost always comes through.

Santa Fe led the third set the entire way, mostly by three to five points. A pair of penalties and an unforced error brought Dickinson back into the game.

Yet Marabella came through with a kill, and Thomas finished the match off with a block to complete the sweep and continue the Lady Indians strong play in the last two weeks. They should be one of the favorites to win District 24-4A, which starts Friday.

Were playing so well right now, Milligan said. Everything, defense and offense, is clicking.