TEMPE — Both Phoenix Greenway and Salpointe Catholic entered Monday’s Class 4A state title game at McClintock High with one goal in mind: bringing home the championship.
It was Greenway that got to celebrate, as the Demons swept the Lancers 3-0 in the championship.
As back-to-back champions in 2016-17, Salpointe was looking for a third consecutive title to wrap up the high school careers of seniors Jenna Johnson, Alex Parkhurst and Madison Sundholm.
Greenway’s path was much different. The Demons won the state title in 2015, were dethroned by Salpointe the following season and didn’t make it out of the first round of the state tournament last year.
Led by three seniors in Mykenna Nelson, Meghan Greenslade and Halle Gordon, who had tasted a championship three years ago, Greenway had a lot to prove.
“We made sure we were on our feet, ready to go because we knew they’d be here to fight and they’d want it just as much as we did,” Nelson said.
Salpointe walked onto the court with a confident attitude. Greenway entered overflowing with energy and excitement.
“The bus ride here was fun,” Greenway’s Nelson said. “We went and got our nails done before the game and then we sang the whole way here just getting hyped up and ready for the game.”
With strong play by Nelson and freshman standout Tatum Parrott, Greenway took the first set 25-22.
In another back-and-forth battle, Greenway won the second set 25-21 as Gordon and junior Megan Mattingly joined Nelson and Parrott with pivotal contributions.
Greenway took an early lead in the third set and quickly pulled away, defeating Salpointe 25-16 and winning the title in a sweep.
“We had a motto this year that we were going to go all in, and that really has been the focus,” Greenway coach Sarah Peterson said. “The girls have worked so hard both on and off the court.”
The journey was even sweeter for the seniors.
“It feels amazing, I can’t believe we actually did it,” Nelson said. “To come back from losing in the first round last year, and losing in the finals to them, to be able to come back and beat them in three feels amazing.”
