CMB tops Colfax-Mingo, Gilbert wins triangular

GILBERT — Collins-Maxwell/Baxter briefly reached the .500 mark Thursday night for the first time this season.

The Raiders won their sixth match in a row by beating Colfax-Mingo in a triangular at Gilbert, and then lost to the host Tigers in their nightcap.

Gilbert beat the Tigerhawks in straight sets in the other match Thursday night.

In a rematch of a meeting from last weekend, CMB beat Colfax-Mingo 25-18, 25-20, 22-25, 25-23. The Raiders won despite what CMB head coach Scott Ranck referred to as sluggish play that featured many unforced errors and their worst performance from the serving line this season (79/95).

Bridget Hurley had three of CMB’s eight aces against Colfax-Mingo. No other stats from the match were available.

The Raiders lost in straight sets to Gilbert, 25-14, 25-18, 25-16. Although the result didn’t show it, Ranck said his team started playing better about midway through the first game against the Tigers.

“It took the girls a little while to adjust to the faster tempo. We still struggled with serving, but we had less unforced errors and passed the ball better,” Ranck said. “The girls really fought through some adversity and a hostile crowd, and several girls saw some quality action; things that will help us once tournament play begins.

“Gilbert is just another tough conference foe, but I commend our girls for putting up a fight.”

CMB fell to 9-10 with the loss, while Gilbert improved to 16-13 with its pair of wins.

Gilbert won, 25-10, 25-23, 25-10, against Colfax-Mingo, which saw its record drop to 3-18 Thurdsay. No Colfax-Mingo stats were available.