The Desert Edge Scorpions defeated the Saguaro Sabercats in four sets by a score of 3-1 Thursday in volleyball.

The Scorpions got out to a quick start, scoring six of the first seven points in the first set to take a 6-1 lead over the Sabercats. After a Saguaro timeout, the Sabercats rallied briefly but conceded eight points in nine serve stretch, moving the score of the first set to 15-5. The rest of the set was back and forth, but ended with the Scorpions up 25-14.

Desert Edge continued to ride the momentum of their first set victory in the second set, jumping out to a 7-1 lead early. During that stretch, four of their points were finished off by Joi Harvey, the senior middle blocker.

“When I go up my goal is to block it and be the first line of defense before it hits the back row,” Harvey said.

Harvey continued to succeed throughout the rest of the game, shutting down a majority of the Sabercats' opportunities. However after the Scorpions' early lead in the second set, Saguaro bounced back. Thanks to a string of five straight points, the Sabercats brought the score to 8-7 in favor of the Scorpions. That stretch was the first time Saguaro scored more than just two straight points.

Even though the Sabercats rallied in the second set they still found themselves dropping it by a score of 25-18.

In the third set the Scorpions struck first once again, but found themselves trailing 5-2 early. This forced Desert Edge to take a timeout, and proceed to rally to bring the score back even at five. However the Sabercats were playing to keep their season alive in the third set and had a couple of rallies for five and seven points, to boost them to a 25-17 victory and forcing a fourth set.

Once again the Scorpions got off to a hot start in the fourth set, taking an early 5-1 lead. After struggling in the third set, the Scorpions were back to executing their game plan.

“We have been up and down this whole year and we are finally hitting our stride at the right time,” said Desert Edge head coach Brandon Sparks.

The Scorpions found their stride later in the fourth set, stringing together seven straight points to bolster their lead to 14-4. After that it was smooth sailing for Desert Edge, coming away with a 25-11 victory in the fourth set.

The win guarantees the Scorpions a spot in the playoffs, and keeps their season alive.

“We are really excited. It is my senior year and I think all of us are very excited to be able to play in the state playoffs,” said Mikayla Sparks, the senior outside hitter and defensive specialist.

As for Saguaro, the loss brings their season to an end. The Sabercats finished the season with a record of 11-18, going 3-7 in their section. Despite having eight seniors on the roster, the Sabercats could have eight returning players next season, with a majority of them having crucial game experience at the varsity level.