Horizon's girls volleyball team managed a sweep over host Gilbert on Thursday evening taking each set in different fashion. The senior-less Huskies ran their record to 5-0 by dispatching the Tigers, 25-15, 25-21, 25-23 in a 5A non-region match 

Horizon, playing its road matches this season without 40-year head coach Valorie McKenzie (the school's only volleyball coach in its history) on its bench due to COVID-19 concerns, dominated the first set start to finish. The second set saw the Huskies bolt to a 19-7 lead before Gilbert found its mojo and pulled within 23-20 before falling short. Set No. 3 was the most competitive of the match. It saw Gilbert headed for victory with a 22-15 advantage that had most fans gearing up for a fourth set.

Didn't happen.

Horizon used a 10-1 run to finish off the sweep. Sophomore outside hitter Kendal Murphy had three kills, junior outside Kaden Young two kills and junior outside Taylor Johnson  the match finale. Setter Keira Hall added an ace in the middle of the run, serving four consecutive points.

"Our mental toughness showed at the end," Horizon varsity assistant Joelle Smyth said. "We showed some grit. Every year when we play Gilbert it's a battle.  It was a nice change of pace for us tonight. Our players love the competition." 

Horizon was adept at featuring a balanced attack. Hall (35 assists) fed a trio of outside hitters enough they all finished in double figures in kills. Murphy and Johnson had 12 kills apiece and Young added 10. Johnson led the defense with 15 digs and libero Phoebe Stebner had eight.

"It took us a long time to get going," Gilbert coach Joe Hesse, who saw his team drop to 3-2, said. "Set 3 is the one we will watch tomorrow. It got away from us."

 

                                                                                      Gilbert coach Joe Hesse (hands on hips) is in his 24th season as Tigers'mentor. (AzPreps365 photo).

Gilbert struggled to find an answer for Murphy in particular, as Hesse said he tried four different players to block her attacks.

Gilbert had three players do most of its successful attacking. Junior outside hitter Naia Stewart led unofficially with 10 kills, followed by middle blockers Sydney Mahon (eight) and Macie Beaudoin (seven).

Horizon's last four wins have been non-region triumphs over 5A San Tan Region opponents. The Huskies open Northeast Valley Region play next Tuesday at Arcadia. Gilbert resumes action next Monday at home against Arcadia.