#9 Gilbert and #13 Casteel weren't in the 5A San Region title chase last year. They moved up the ladder some and played Monday night with Gilbert having the chance to win the region outright or Casteel the opportunity to even the race with a match each to play on Tuesday.

The Tuesday matches won't have the meaning they might have as Gilbert put the region-title question to bed with a 25-15, 25-21, 25-12 victory over Casteel at The Jungle.

"Region titles for us used to be common, but not so lately," Gilbert coach Joe Hesse said. "I want these girls to know it's a big deal, and they've accomplished something."

Casteel (17-13 overall, 7-2 region, 9-7 power-ranking matches) entered the contest having won seven region matches in a row since it lost its region opener to Gilbert back in late September. The Colts were out for revenge from a sweep in the September meeting, but ultimately they were outmuscled by the host Tigers.

"We are a more physical team than they are and it worked in our favor," Hesse said. "We handled them the first set. The second set they gave us a battle."

Gilbert (32-10, 9-0, 13-3) raced to a 9-1 lead and was punishing Casteel at 20-5 late. Casteel closed the set with a 10-5 run and better play ensued through most of the second set - just not long enough.

Casteel led the second set more than halfway through with several leads of four points. Gilbert caught up and led for the first time 15-14. A 6-0 run with Macie Beaudoin doing the serving, including a pair of aces, putn the Tigers back in charge.

Casteel sophomore outside/opposite Carlee Wakefield helped the Colts close within 22-21. Casteel misfired on two successive attacks and Gilbert closed out the set with a kill by Elizabeth Toiaivao.

The final set was much like the first. Gilbert grabbed a 10-3 lead and never was threatened. Sophomore outside Naia Stewart's 14th kill was good for match point.

Stewart's 14 kills led Gilbert and Toiaivao was next with nine. Freshman libero Kenzie Schoenhardt paced the Tigers in digs with 15 and junior setter Lyndsee Baxter registered 29 assists. Wakefield and senior Taylor Tepe paced Casteel unofficially with six kills apiece.

Gilbert and Casteel dominated in the San Tan Region. Each has played a smattering of top-10 ranked teams out of region. Neither has a win to show for it in a power-ranking match. Gilbert has played top-10 squads Cactus Shadows, Centennial and Sunnyslope and Casteel has faced Millennium, Sunnyslope, Centennial, Verrado, Notre Dame Prep and Gilbert with no breakthroughs

Both teams appear headed to compete in play-in round games on Thursday when postseason begins. Gilbert is chasing No. 8 Verrado for a bye to the state tournament.