Jeffrey Hinkle is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Williams Field High School for AZPreps365.com

Volleyball is a game of momentum.

For the Williams Field Black Hawks, it wasn’t on their side going into Wednesday night's matchup with the Casa Grande Cougars.

Williams Field (6-5) had been on a three-game skid, but went into fall break happy after sweeping the Cougars at home.

“It’s gratifying to know that they’re focused and not worried about fall break,” Williams Field coach Brian Hiapo said.

Senior outside hitter Maliyah Labrie led the way with eight kills, while transfer senior outside hitter Micah Gardner tallied six kills in just her second home game with the Black Hawks that turned out to be her first victory with her new team. 

“It feels good to get the first one,” Gardner said. “It’s a good way to start our break, and it gives everyone a good ‘going off to break moment.’”

The transfers not only helped secure the win, but also gave some key starters a little bit of rest. 

Labrie, who had been a mainstay from whistle to whistle in most of Williams Field’s matches this year, got to rest the entire third set. Hiapo said that he wants to get his other players involved as much as possible.

With the help of the transfers who are now eligible to play, Hiapo was able to do just that.

“This was a good game for them to measure their ability to play,” Hiapo said. “Because they’ve been waiting so long.”

The transfers had to wait until the team’s matchup against Horizon to see the floor in game action, but have been practicing with the team all season. Having the new members on the floor is something Labrie has been anticipating all season.

“I’ve been waiting for it,” she said. “I love practicing with them, and I love being on the court with them. It’s a nice little impact to the team.”

Labrie likes to give credit where credit is due for her kills. The senior knows that without her teammates, she wouldn’t be getting the same opportunities she’s getting now. 

“I always thank my setter every time I get a kill,” she said. “I always say ‘nice set’ even if it’s not.”

Gardner also knows that kills are a combined effort. 

“Credit to my setters,” she said. “It wouldn’t happen if I didn’t have a setter.”

The Black Hawks have the week off from competitive play, but Gardner says that she has no plans for fall break. 

“I’ll be here training,” she said with a shrug. 

Labrie hopes that this victory against Casa Grande (3-4) is a sign of what’s to come for the Black Hawks. 

“I was really hoping we could go into this game and end strong,” Labrie said. “So we can go into this break and be well rested for our next game.”

Williams Field continues in-region play Tuesday against Higley, and then matches up against Casteel on Thursday.