Sweeps have been the way of it last season and this season when Casteel's and Gilbert's boys volleyball teams meet. The difference Tuesday night - Gilbert did the sweeping.

#2-ranked Gilbert rallied from behind in the first set, built a large lead in the second and hung on then prevailed going away in the third set defeating #5 Casteel, 25-18, 25-22, 25-17 at The Jungle. It was the first 5A San Tan Region match for the schools. Gilbert improved to 17-3 overall and 8-0 in power-ranking matches. Casteel is now 19-4, 6-3.

Casteel won both matches last season 3-0 and upended Gilbert in Chandler's Wolf Howl Invite in early March, 2-0. The Tigers were having none of that this time. 

Trent Moser enjoyed his typical strong match for Gilbert. The senior outside hitter notched 17 kills, served six aces and added three blocks. Freshman outside hitter Troy Moser checked in with eight kills and middle blocker Harrison Tinker delivered six blocks. 

Gilbert trailed by as many as four in the first set before tying (15-all) and gaining its first lead (16-15) and the lead for good. A Trent Moser kill, Casteel attack error and another Trent Moser kill put the Tigers ahead to stay. They finished off the set with a Trent Moser kill and ace and Casteel violation.

The second set saw Gilbert lead from start to finish with a 19-9 advantage its largest. Casteel made a late charge cutting a 23-14 deficit to 24-22.  A strong run of serves by Adam Wilson resulted in a 6-0 run that made the Tigers sweat the set's final outcome.

Gilbert led most of the final set. The Tigers grabbed the lead for good at 7-6. An 18-10 advantage was is largest thanks to an ace from Zane Long. Trent Moser secured the final two points of the match with block and kill.

Gilbert's Trent Moser (7) opens the 2nd set with a kill Tuesday vs. Casteel. (Azpreps365 photo)