Yuma Catholic Wins First Postseason Match in Program History
The eighth-seeded Cardinals beat ninth-seeded Blue Ridge in three sets in the first round of the 3A state playoffs.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Volleyball
Yuma Catholic volleyball defeated Blue Ridge 25-13, 26-24, 25-22 in the first round of the 3A state playoffs on Thursday, earning the program's first postseason victory. The Cardinals will face top-seeded Gilbert Christian in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Why it matters
The win marks a milestone for the Yuma Catholic program and advances the team into the quarterfinals against the tournament's top seed. Coming back from a five-point deficit in the second set showed the team's resilience in a close match.
Yuma Catholic won the first set 25-13, the second 26-24 after trailing by five points, and the third 25-22, with Payton Enders recording a team-high 18 kills and Audrina Payan 25 digs. The team's approximately 10 blocks were its highest total in a game this season.
The players
Yuma Catholic High School
A Catholic high school in Yuma, Arizona, whose volleyball team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 3A state playoffs.
Gilbert Christian High School
The top-seeded team in the 3A state playoff bracket and Yuma Catholic's quarterfinal opponent.
The details
The match was played at Carol McElhaney Oden Gym, the program's first home playoff match. Gwen Thrower recorded eight kills and a team-high six blocks, and Bella Koehl served an ace to close out the third set.
Timeline
Thursday: Yuma Catholic defeats Blue Ridge in the first round of the 3A state playoffs.
Saturday at 10 a.m.: Quarterfinal match against Gilbert Christian at Mountain Pointe High School.
Season Trajectory
The win gives Yuma Catholic its first postseason victory in program history and moves the eighth-seeded team into a quarterfinal against the top seed, Gilbert Christian. The result reshapes the team's position in the 3A bracket and marks a turning point in its season.
Fans wanting to see the Cardinals in the quarterfinal should plan to arrive for Saturday's 10 a.m. match at Mountain Pointe High School. Because the match is a playoff game against the top seed, attendance and seating may be limited.
The takeaway
Yuma Catholic's comeback from a five-point deficit in the second set shows the value of staying composed in tight moments. The team's balanced play, led by Enders' 18 kills and Payan's 25 digs, will be tested next against the top-seeded Gilbert Christian squad.
What happens next
Yuma Catholic faces top-seeded Gilbert Christian in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Mountain Pointe High School.
Further reading
For more on high school sports across the area, see Yuma Volleyball coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KYMA.
