(Middle blocker Krysten Padelford visited Cactus' volleyball court Thursday for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer after last year's state semifinals. Photo courtesy of Padelford.)

Flagstaff and Cactus are attached at Krysten Padelford’s hip and by recent postseason history.

The two girls volleyball programs competed two years ago for a state title and met in last year’s state semifinals, when a celebratory jump by Padelford led to the discovery of eight cancerous tumors. The middle blocker’s hip popped as Cactus let loose after clinching last year's state title berth, forcing her to miss the title matchup and get an MRI.

Padelford graduated last year but returned to Cactus’ volleyball court Thursday night to see her alma mater and Flagstaff square off once again. But before the match between the highly ranked teams, Cactus coach Anthony Puglisi introduced Padelford to the packed gym and told the crowd that Padelford was cancer free.

There likely wasn’t a dry eye in the gym as the crowd gave Padelford a standing ovation. Puglisi also thanked Flagstaff before the match for raising funds for Padelford’s cancer treatments.

In a sign of gratitude, Cactus’ players tied their hair with green — one of Flagstaff’s school colors — ribbons.

“I was really scared coming here (Cactus),” Padelford said. “I didn’t know what to expect. I haven’t really seen volleyball since the (2014) semifinals. But after the standing ovation I just felt better. I felt relieved.”

After the emotional speech by Puglisi, who also celebrated his birthday Thursday, it was time to see which team was ahead of which in 2015.

It’s still early in the season, but after the 26-24, 25-18, 19-25, 25-17 win, Flagstaff holds the early lead. After losing in five games to Prescott on Tuesday with a key player out, Flagstaff bounced back Thursday behind a complete team performance.

“We have a lot of versatility out there,” Flagstaff coach Beth Haglin said. “(Outside hitter) Courtney (Leffel) does a great job of holding this together. She’s like that glue out there, and then I can just put kids anywhere, which gives us a different look every time.”

The ultra competitive and athletic Leffel can hurt opponents from anywhere on the court.

The Arizona State-bound senior had eight kills in the final game and was double and triple blocked throughout the match but still found open spots.

If Cactus let a game slip away, it was Game 1, when it led 16-10 and gave Flagstaff the final two points of that game after committing a hitting and passing error.

Trailing 14-13, Flagstaff went on a 12-4 run close out Game 2.

A fast start, slide kills, quick putaways and setter Soleil Gandara’s smarts helped Cactus win its only game. Despite the loss, Cactus has plenty of time regroup and possesses one of D-II’s top outside hitters, senior Adriana Aguayo, and now a big fan.

“That’s the best birthday present I can have,” said Puglisi about seeing Padelford Thursday. “A win would’ve been nice, but to have her here healthy and have the cancer completely in remission is a big, big deal.”