By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

John Curtis denied Riverside’s bid to win a third straight district volleyball title Thursday, as the Patriots officially dethroned the Rebels with a 25-10, 25-14, 25-13 victory at Curtis.

The Patriots (30-9, 6-0) captured the District 4-IV crown with a dominant performance, capped off by a powerful Ashley Henderson spike for the match’s 25th and final point.

“I’m just so excited,” Henderson said. “We’ve been working so hard for this, and it’s paying off now.

“We just wanted it. This was at home, and we weren’t going to give it up for anyone.”

Said Curtis Coach Dawn Curtis: “It’s big for us. We haven’t won district in awhile, and it’s really a step in the right direction.”

Curtis led throughout the match. After Curtis took the first game, the Rebels (24-14) just couldn’t seem to recover.

“After the first game, it was like we defeated ourselves,” said Riverside Coach Mandy Luminais. “John Curtis is great this year, they’ve been on all season. When you play a team like that…the girls’ confidence in themselves isn’t where it needs to be to bounce back after losing the first game badly like we did.”

With Curtis ahead 20-12 in the second game, Riverside scored two straight points, attempting to rally back. But Lacey Huxen and Henderson each slammed down kills for Curtis. Amy DuSuales served an ace. Alison Grabert’s kill brought Curtis to game point, and a Riverside return error clinched it for the Patriots.

The third game quickly turned into a nightmare for the Rebels. Curtis jumped out to a 7-1 lead, then 16-2. Riverside would make a small push with Curtis ahead 20-4, cutting the lead to 23-13. But Heidi Garcich’s kill attempt for Riverside went just long, then Henderson’s kill finished things off.

“They outplayed us, 100%,” said Luminais. “Curtis came ready to win. They did an awesome job.”

Garcich had five kills and an ace. Ashley Forstall had six assists. Aimee Williamson notched 19 digs and Shaney Borne had two blocks.

MCGEHEE TOPS REBELS IN THREE: Riverside began the week on a down note, falling to host McGehee on Tuesday 12-25, 14-25, 16-25.

Shea LaFountain led the Rebels with six kills. Forstall had seven assists. Garcich had 26 digs, Borne had a block, while Forstall and Kaitlyn Millet each had an ace.

Luminais said she didn’t feel like her team played up to its capabilities against a strong McGehee squad.

“I thought we were intimidated from the beginning,” she said. “I thought we were pumped and ready. But you’ve got to bring consistent effort. You have play hard and work together all of the time, and you’ve gotta want it. I don’t think we had the motivation on Tuesday.”

REBELS OUTLAST BULLDOGS IN FIVE: Conversely, Riverside capped last week with a hard fought win in five games over District 3-V Ascension Catholic, 25-16, 16-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-12.

Forstall had 23 assists. Garcich had 40 digs. Borne had 12 kills and three blocks and Shea LaFountain had three aces.

“It was a great game,” said Luminais. “They’ve got a very good, coachable team. Thy played so hard. I really thought that win was what we needed to push us into this week. It just didn’t work out that way.”