Macey Gardner expanded her role Tuesday night for Gilbert High's girls volleyball team.

Rather than just participate in the pre-game captains' meeting with the officials and head coaches, Gardner got to take off the warmups and grab some game action. It was a change in her routine from the first month of the season -- a welcome change.

"It felt awesome to be out there," Gardner, one of the state's top players as a junior, said. "It was a little nerve-racking at first. But I got over it."

Gardner, the Tigers' standout outside hitter, who has verbally committed to ASU, has been idled the first month of the season due to a lingering hamstring injury that plagued her throughout the spring and summer club season. She hadn't played in two months before Tuesday's 5A Central Region match with Corona del Sol. Even at that, her participation was limited.

"We worked her in in the back (row)," Gilbert coach Joe Hesse said. "We'll move ahead a little at a time. If things go well the rest of the week, she may get to hit this weekend when we got to Las Vegas."

Gilbert improved to 12-2 overall and 3-0 in region Tuesday with a sweep of Corona del Sol, 25-21, 25-19, 25-11. Hesse was elated having his team captain back on the floor, but he couldn't help but applaud his team's effort while Gardner worked her way back.

"Everyone has said wait until Macey gets back," Hesse said. "I think this team  has done a great job playing while she's been out. I'm very proud of them. I've never had a team that fought like this one does....
"It is nice to have Macey back. She's a great player, and a  great team player."

Hesse limited Gardner to the back. She finished with 15 digs. Combined with libero Jaime Soliz (18 digs), the Tigers' back row was close to impenetrable.

Gardner was might adept serving. She served during a a 6-0 run, that included an ace, in the first game that rallied Gilbert from a 15-14 deficit and helped earn a narrow win. She duplicatd that run in the second game with the score tied, 9-9.  The Tigers never trailed  the rest of the match.

Sophomore outside hitter Penina Snuka, who has been relied upon often to supply offense for the Tigers, felt more at ease than she has much of the year with Gardner's return.

"Definitely nice having her back,"  Snuka said. "The stress is off. To have a good, dynamic player like her added to the lineup is great for our team."

Gardner's replacement in the rotation was senior hitter Jordan Hill. HIll continued to do what she has most of the time Gardner's has been out. Hill contributed nine kills in limited action. Snuka and Kayla Lederer had 12 kills apiece.

"This team has a solid base," Gardner said. "Everyone has been ready to step up. Play their position. They know their roles. It's been fun to watch."

Gardner and the Tigers hope she won't be watching any more.