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After falling behind late in Game 3, Ironwood Ridge rebounded to take the 5A Southern II region championship match 25-17, 25-20, 27-25 against Rincon/University.

The No. 1 Nighthawks were behind 23-21 when the seniors told coach Bill Lang during a timeout not to worry.

"They told me that they were going to pull it out," Lang said.

Senior Grace Johnson helped Ironwood Ridge tie it at 25-25 when she slammed the ball down into the front row. It seemed to be just enough to rattle the No. 3 Rangers.

Ironwood Ridge took the next two points when Rincon players sprawled all over the court trying to get the balls.

"We played flat and they played better than we did," Rincon coach Juanita Kingston said. "I think that's all there is to that. They played better and we know it."

Rincon had the lead in the beginning of Game 1. But the Rangers fell behind 10-9 when they failed to return a serve from Kristen Linaker. The Nighthawks' Briana Hughes then notched two kills.

Kelsey Groff led Ironwood Ridge with seven kills and four blocks.

"I think that our team came out here with a lot of energy tonight so that was a big part of it," she said.

After a Rincon serving error broke a 14-14 in Game 2, two Groff serves went unreturned to help the Nighthawks take a 17-14 lead.

● Salpointe Catholic 3, Tucson 0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-21): At Ironwood Ridge, the No. 1 Lancers had no problem overcoming an uninspired Tucson team in the 5A Southern I region championship.

"We didn't do anything very special today," Tucson coach Matt Dyke said. "I think the outcome was about right for how well we played."

After a Selina Becerril ace put No. 2 Tucson ahead early in Game 1, Salpointe tied it at 2 with a hit from Kaitlyn Moushon. The Lancers took the next three points to take Tucson out of the mix.

"Tucson High has never been to a final like this so I think we got a little scared," said Nalani Barnes. "We just weren't into it as much as we wanted to be."