Pinnacle''s girls volleyball team couldn't have been more streaky Wednesday night in avenging last year's loss to fellow Paradise Valley District school Horizon. A 9-0 run in the second set sapped momentum from Horizon turning a 20-16 deficit to a 25-16 win and a 2-0 lead. And after Horizon stayed alive winning a lopsided third set, Pinnacle out of nowhere turned a match perhaps headed for five sets into a solid four-set victory. Scores were 26-24, 25-20, 14-25, 25-13.

There was a lot on the line. Volleyball bragging rights in the district. Horizon (11-1), the top-ranked team in 5A, attempting to remain perfect for the season. And #9 Pinnacle (6A rankings) seeking a marquee win. Pinnacle owned one win over a top-10 6A team (#10 Corona), but lost to two others - #5 Valley Vista and #6 Sandra Day O'Connor. Pinnacle cemented its evening taking the fourth set after trailing quickly, 7-2. The Pioneers caught and passed Horizon (11-10) and a 14-3 run abruptly concluded the match.

"I think we played smart volleyball," Pinnacle coach Allissa Morgan said. "That's what impressed me the most. We didn't stop hitting aggressively. We had a few lulls, but stopped and found our way back. When you make a few mistakes it takes being strong mentally to get back. That's what happened with us after the third set and the early in the fourth."

Pinnacle was paced by a strong game in several areas by senior setter Brooke Cowie. Morgan praised Cowie for the way she moved the ball around to hitters. Cowie had 87 assists and chipped in six kills herself. Kierslynn Wright was the top attacker for the Pioneers with 13 and did her part defensively with 13 digs. Middle blocker Amy Hollander had the best night on the attack percentage-wise hitting .450 with 11 kills. Opposite Rylie Morrison checked in with five kills.

Pinnacle (10-2) led nearly the entire way in the opening set. After leading 11-6 early, Horizon chipped away and led for the first time, 22-21. The Huskies also led 23-22 and 24-23 getting the first shot at set point. That was thwarted by a kill from senior middle Madison Lounds, who did most of her damage in the match on the block. The 6-foot-1 Lounds contributed seven blocks. She leads the state in blocks according to MaxPreps stats. Pinnacle converted its chance at set point via an ace from Katie McKeighan.

Winning the second set was difficult, but the most rewarding for Pinnacle. The Pioneers trailed 6-1, battled back for a 15-12 lead only to be overcome by an i8-1 orizon run. Pinnacle countered with closing run that consisted of kills from three players, blocks by two and a trio of Horizon attack errors.

Horizon coach Valorie McKenzie had to like the spunk her team showed in the third set. The Huskies trailed just once and had its three main hitters clicking. Horizon registered 16 kills in the set - six from team-leader Taylor Johnson, five from sophomore Kendal Murphy and three from junior Kaden Young. Unofficially Murphy led Horizon's attack with 15 kills and Johnson and Taylor had 13 apiece.

Pinnacle cemented its evening taking the fourth set after trailing quickly, 7-2. The Pioneers caught and passed Horizon (11-10) and a 14-3 run abruptly concluded the match.

Pinnacle takes the rest of the week off from matches and returns to the court Oct. 27, hosting region foe Boulder Creek. Its final two matches are a rematch with Sandra Day O'Connor and a freedom game with #3 Hamilton. Horizon visits Paradise Valley in a region match on Thursday.