When Desert Vista and Highland met in the first of their two 6A Central Region matchups three weeks ago, Highland took care of business decisively. The Hawks earned a sweep that didn't allow the Thunder to tally more than 13 points in any set.

Things were different, but yet the same Tuesday night in the rematch. Highland was taken deep in every set by # 7 Desert Vista, but exited the gym with another sweep by scores of 25-21, 25-22 and 25-23. On Sept. 29, Highland's sweep was by scores of 25-12, 25-13, 25-10.

Highland solidfied its hold as the #3 team in the 6A power rankings and has won eight consecutive matches. The 9-1 Hawks only loss was to #1 Perry in the season's second match. Desert Vista dropped to 7-2, 5-2 in region - both losses to Highland. HIghland's win clinched the Central Region title (8-0) having swept both Corona and Desert Vista --  the two closest teams to the Hawks in the region. Highland has two region matches remaining.

"I think we played our best match of the season the first time we played them," Highland coach Jordan Neal said. "I don't think they were at the top of their game that night. We swept Corona the first time we played them and last week they came back and took us to five. Tonight it was much closer with Desert Vista. They served up a bunch of aces early and got us a little out of system. We usually don't stay out of systen long with (setter) Natalie (Palmer) out there. She makes sure we're not out system long the way she plays."

Other than a fast start from the service line in the opening set, Desert Vista could not secure any type of large lead other than 3-0, 4-1 i and 6-3 n the first set thanks to three aces of its first six points. Highland settled in at that point tying the set at 6 and never trailing in the set after that.

The second set saw neither team lead by more than three and Desert Vista hold the edge just three times by one. The last lead the Thunder held was 20-19 after a Highland service error and the score was even at 22 when Highland made the plays to take the set. Senior outside hitter Samia Bhakta's tip kill, a block by Jeesica Shorts and a hitting error by the Thunder finished it out.

The third set was quite similar to the second with Highland leading most of the way and several times by three points. Desert Vista caught Highland at 22-all after an ace from sophomore Neyah Davison. Two kills from Kennedy Williams and a tip by Claire Pothier completed the sweep for the Hawks.

"We're young in some areas and sometimes were not committed to the system," Desert Vista coach Molly West said. "This was a much better showing than last time. We didn't roll over and we in the game."

Desert Vista played without one of its two setters -- Gabbi LeBlanc - in what normally is a 6-2 alignment for the Thunder. LeBlanc has missed Desert Vista's last three matches with a sprained ankle.

Highland's attack was led by senior tri-captain Williams (13 kills), Bhakta (11 kills) and senior middle Annie Richens (six kills, .714 hitting percentage). Libero Kamilah Checani came up with 18 digs and Palmer had 40 assists. Sophomore Amiyah White paced  Desert Vista with seven kills and junior libero Kate Morin produced 13 digs.

Desert Vista plays at home on Wednesday and Thursday with matches against Xavier Prep and Corona del Sol. Highland next plays Thursday at Desert Ridge.