QUEEN CREEK — The Cactus Cobras bounced back in their 4A state first round game against the Benjamin Franklin Chargers on May 3, keeping all three games close.
However, the host team was slightly stronger in all three matches. The Chargers ended Cactus' season with a 27-25, 25-20, 25-22 decision.
No. 8 seed Franklin (16-3) advanced to play No. 1 seed Northwest Christian, while the No. 9 seed Cobras finished the season with an 11-7 record.
“Our players gave it their all. There was no question about their effort,” Cactus coach Jana Henige said. “There were doubts about some things, but there was always effort.”
The game ended the careers of Cactus seniors Brady Hennige, Brayden Lagahuaina and Josiah Haislip.
“Our seniors do a great job of keeping everyone calm,” Coach Henige said. “Rather than letting setbacks take you out of the game, they turn them into passion.”
Thanks to their senior leadership, the Cobras went on a 7-0 run in their first game against Franklin, leading 19-16, 24-22 and 25-24 before giving up the final three points.
Game 2 wasn't that close towards the end, with the Cobras' 24-18 lead being the largest of the game. Both teams traded points early, with Franklin quickly turning a 12-12 tie into a 17-13 lead.
The Cactus came back in the third and final game and tied the game at 22 points despite trailing 18-13. That's when he made three solid serves and overcame the Cobras' high-block arm to close the door with three consecutive kills.
“They're one of the tallest teams we've played against, and it's not just because they have a 7-footer (Brady Henidge),” Franklin coach Chris McGrunog said. Told. “This week we worked on being brave and trying to break through the blocks. We knew we couldn't get around them.”
Brady Henige had 14 kills and an ace against Franklin. Tommy Henige had 16 kills and three aces. Hyslip added six blocks.
The young Cobras lineup seemed to struggle with communication and court awareness at times.
Coach Henige said he knows the two freshmen in the regular rotation, outside hitter Tommy Henige and libero Vinny Vitale, have learned a lot from the upperclassmen this season.
“Tommy and Vinny learned great lessons this year from their seniors about how to be and where to be in certain situations.”
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