Perry's volleyball team had to wait an extra day to start the delayed 2020 season, but they showed Wednesday evening it was worth the wait.

The Pumas began a new quest for the  top prize in 6A with several holdovers from last year. They took the measure of host Highlan convincingly, 25-18, 25-10 and 25-18.

Perry, which had several match-point chances to win and sweep the 6A title last year, looked in midseason form with two-thirds of last year's roster in tow.

"I was happy to get away with a win, this is not an easy place to play," Perry coach Fred Mann said. "We did play very well, but there are things to work on. Our experience showed."

Senior outside hitter Ella Rud paced a varied attack for Perry with 14 kills and added three aces. Another senior - outside Alyssa Montoya - stepped into a bigger role  and posted 11 kills. Senior middles Makayla Long and Maddie McGinnis, who also has a larger role, checked in with six kills apiece. Seven different players contributed kills. Lat year's All-Premier Region setter and senior Jenna Heller dished out 36 assists. Junior libero Jordan Suan led in digs with 15. Suan, Rud, Heller and Long are the returing starters.

                                                                                         Perry celebrates the finishing touch. (Azpreps365 photo)

Highland (1-1), lost in the state semis to Perry last year. The Hawks (1-1) opened the season Tuesday with a 3-1 triumph over Mountain Pointe Coach Jordan Neal had some top-flight returners as well. Highland featured three key seniors. An all-Region setter of its own (Central) in Natalie Palmer, all-region outside hitter Samia Bhakta and outside Kennedy Williams. Wednesday night was an uphill fight from the get-go for the hosts.

""Perry is one of the best teams, maybe the best and we had no answer," Neal said. "They were in system all night. We couldn't find a way to disrupt them. They passed well, and dug just about everything. I don't know if there was anything we could have done."

Bhakta labored for nine kills. She and Williams added seven digs apiece.

With schools mostly playing three matches a week, it's back to action for both on Thursday. Perry hosts Basha in a rematch of last year's 6A title game and Highland visits Corona del Sol.