jill torrance / arizona daily star

Other articles by Tyler Hansen:

Pusch Ridge seniors treat their beat feet after another feat Weldon's intense focus leads to a big celebration Surprising Ironwood Ridge is 'prepared' for its opportunity to capture a state title Cienega overcomes ejections, late-game mistakes to advance Opinion by Tyler Hansen : Some fearless predictions as 2008 state titles go on the line Opinion by Tyler Hansen : Quiet Hawk makes noise with stick Fridley accepts advice, paces Eagles past Titans Foothills is No. 1 even without No. 1 Foothills girls see Cabs end title run 'Anxiety' finally subsides as 3 Cats hear names called

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With a stern look on her face, Salpointe Catholic coach Amy Johnson pleaded with Logan Hale — the zaniest character on her zany team — to cease with the jumping and shouting, and focus.

Hale didn't hear a word his coach said. He couldn't. So Johnson did the most appropriate thing: She cracked a smile.

There were plenty of those to go around after Salpointe's 3-1 win over Glendale Mountain Ridge in the quarterfinals Thursday night of the Class 4A/5A-I state tournament.

Scores were 25-18, 21-25, 25-22 and 25-18.

It happened by virtue of a miraculous comeback by the top-seeded Lancers, who were in danger of getting bounced at home in the quarters for the second straight year.

"I don't know how it happened," said Johnson. "I told them that I don't think I've ever been more proud of a team."

Salpointe (25-8) and No. 8 Mountain Ridge split the first two games before the Mountain Lions gained complete control. They jumped ahead 20-9, making Salpointe look ordinary in the process.

Then the Lancers saved their season with one of the best comebacks Johnson said she has ever seen.

Frankie Mulcahy's kill gave Salpointe a sideout and a point, which is when Hale stepped up. The Lancers reeled off the next seven points with the fiery, diminutive libero on serve.

Setter Pat Tunnell directed the rally with a sense of composure and excellence that made even Mountain Ridge gawk.

"It was amazing," Lions outside hitter Chris Brown said. "Their setter, you don't know where he's going with the ball. He can set it outside or throw it back. That's what great teams do."

The Lions' collapse included 10 unforced errors. They forced a tie at 22, but another Mulcahy kill and two more MR mistakes ended the game.

Salpointe led Game 4 in its entirety and staved off numerous rallies. Justin Gotchey ended the match with a thunderous kill, putting Salpointe in Saturday's semifinals at Mountain View. The title match is at 7 p.m.

"I think this is the win that set us up to win it all," Hale said. "This is the win we needed to prove we can do it."