The Sahuaro High School boys volleyballl team lived up to its No. 1 seeding in the 4A Kino Region championship on Thursday. It defeated a pesky Rincon/University team that beat two teams in as many nights to advance to the title match.

The Cougars, the tournament host, beat the No. 4 Rangers 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-17).

Rincon defeated Sabino and Cienega to get to the finals of the state's toughest region. Four of the top eight teams in the state's Power Rankings for 4A/5A Division II reside in the Kino Region - Sahuaro (No. 2), Cienega (No. 4), Rincon (No. 7) and Sabino (No. 8).

Cougar Kyle Tatum kept the score close in Game 2. He tied the game 20-20 with a kill off a Mitchell Toone assist. Tatum also assisted on the game-winner in all three games.

"I just had to keep running things, spreading it out and keep them guessing," Tatum said. "We just had to bring a lot of intensity to the game and play really hard. We had to get our serves in especially. We've had some trouble in the past with serves."

Tatum finished with 15 assists, 10 digs, seven kills and the only ace for the Cougars. Toone finished with 12 assists, nine digs and six kills.

"They were much better this time when we played them," Sahuaro coach Sandy Novak said of Rincon. "They are a very good defensive team. Our passing was really good tonight and that helped us a lot. When we pass well, then our setters have a much better time setting the ball."

Colin Kennedy led Sahuaro with 11 kills. Brother Dillon Kennedy had eight.

"That's the best we played Sahuaro all year," Rincon coach Juanita Kingston said. "For them to play Sahuaro that tough in any of those games after what we did Tuesday and Wednesday, I'm as happy as I can be. They're ready. Let's bring on the state tournament."

Brice Nzeukou and Logan Mauney each had eight kills and teammate Matt McDaniel had 11 assists