Xavier Prep had its volleyball match against Chandler Hamilton on Oct. 28 postponed until Nov. 4.
It proved to
be a blessing in disguise for the Gators, as they were able to put in a lot of productive
work in practice, refining their skills, getting their timing down and, maybe most
important, learning to communicate better.
So after
nearly two weeks since their previous match against Phoenix Sunnyslope on Oct.
22, the Gators came out and handled Tempe Corona del Sol 3-1 in Xavier’s final
home match of the regular season.
After
dropping the first game against the Aztecs, 26-24, Xavier regrouped and won
three straight, 25-16, 25-21 and 25-14. Xavier’s win was its third in a row and
put its overall record at 9-5.
Xavier coach
Lamar-Renee Bryant said the opening-game setback to Corona del Sol was not a
case of her team being rusty.
“We had that
game but we just couldn’t put it away. Corona is a very good team and you have
to make sure that you do what you need to do,’’ Bryant said.
In the
second game, junior outside hitter Tiffany Tellez and sophomore outside hitter
Kate Tax made some big plays and the Gators sealed it on defense with a block.
Junior
middle blocker Bella Sinacori provided the decisive point in the third game
with a kill after providing a block shortly before that.
Corona del
Sol had the early lead in the fourth game with hopes of sending the match to a
fifth and deciding game. The game was tied at 11 before Xavier went on an 8-0
run. Corona del Sol did not help itself much down the stretch with some
unforced errors.
As for the
match against Hamilton, Xavier will be trying to atone for a 3-0 sweep at the
hands of the Huskies at Xavier on Oct. 1. Hamilton recently has been in the No.
2 spot behind 6A Conference Premier Region rival Gilbert Perry, while Xavier’s
recent success has put it in the top eight in power points.
“It’s all
systems go. We just have to keep working hard,’’ Bryant said.
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