The Scorpions traveled to enemy territory looking to continue their winning ways against a cross-valley rival Tuesday, Sept. 13, but the Marauders had other plans, winning 3-1.

Longtime Sedona Red Rock High School volleyball Head Coach John Parks wasn’t pleased, to say the least, after his team’s loss to the Marauders.

“I think it was a learning game for us. It was a big rivalry game and only a few of our girls have been a part of that the last couple years. I think we came out a little tight tonight and we just couldn’t shake it. I think they just got psyched out,” Parks said.

Sedona hasn’t lost to Mingus Union High School since 2008 when the Marauders got the best of the Scorpions [3-1] under then Head Coach Audrey Islas.

Hired in the summer, current Mingus Head Coach Brian Herman has his Marauders playing well, and it was obvious to the Scorpions and their fans Tuesday.

“Sedona is a tough team. We’ve got good hitters; they’ve got good hitters. It was a tough match for both teams, and we played well and put it away when we needed to,” Herman said shortly after his team won.

Mingus sophomore Angel Chavez was nearly unstoppable, recording 11 kills, while junior Bailey Mabery had 10 kills and 16 digs.

Only a few Sedona fans showed up for the big match between the two longtime rivals Tuesday, but that didn’t stop Mingus fans from coming out in full force.

The two teams went point for point in game one, with the Marauders coming out on top, 27-25. Mingus claimed the second game to take a two-game lead in the best-of-five series, 25-21, but the Scorpions fought back, winning game three, 25-16.

“I think the girls let up a bit in game three, thinking they had already won,” Herman said.

In game four, however, it was all Marauders as Mingus refocused to take a 24-7 lead before finally putting the Scorpions away, 25-13.

“We’ll learn and grow, and we’ll do better,” Parks said. “It was a good learning experience for these girls, and we just need to continue to grow and make ourselves better.”

It was the first loss of the season for the Scorpions who were 4-0 coming into Tuesday’s matchup.

With the loss, Sedona is 4-1 [6-2-1, tournament play] overall to start the 2011 campaign. The Scorpions are ranked No. 6 in the Division IV Arizona Interscholastic Association power point polls, which were released Wednesday, Sept. 14. Mingus is ranked No. 24 in Division III.

The Scorpions were in action again Thursday, Sept. 15, when they played host to Coconino High School. Sedona beat Coconino to open the season Aug. 30, winning 3-1. Results from Thursday’s match were unavailable at press time.

Next up, Sedona is set to travel to Chino Valley High School on Tuesday, Sept. 20. The Cougars are ranked No. 19 in Division IV with a 4-2 record.