Saint Mary’s bounced back after being swept 0-3 by Arcadia on Tuesday by defeating Seton Catholic Prep in five sets on Thursday night. 

The Knights hosted the Sentinels in a hard-fought 4A Desert Sky regional battle, and improved to a 3-2 record in regional play. When asked about the team's victory, head coach September Lopez called it “much needed”. 

With a packed and loud Knights student section cheering, it was a long back-and-forth battle during the first set.

“It was fun to watch, it seemed as if both teams had an answer for each of their attacks,” Spectator Ashley Rubidoux said.

Eventually, the Sentinels won the first set 25-17. 

The Sentinels wasted no time entering the second set as they took an early 5-2 lead. But the Knights stormed back to take an 18-17 lead, which prompted a timeout from Sentinels coach James Johnson. After the timeout, the second set went down to the wire and the Knights prevailed, 25-23. 

The third set was smooth sailing for Saint Mary’s, winning 25-18. 

During the fourth set, the crowd's and benchs' energy both picked up, which inspired both teams. A few costly mistakes from the Knights allowed the Sentinels to win the fourth set 25-22.

In the fifth, the Knights got out to an early lead and maintained their momentum through the match's end. The student section and crowd got behind them as they gained three straight points to begin, and the Knights surged to a 15-10 set victory. 

Junior Shelbie Lemm led the Knights with 12 kills. Senior Jessica Rayner added 10 kills and 14 assists. Coach Lopez appointed sophomore Addie Cabanilla as the Knights' Player of the Game. She was a late start due to an injury to their primary setter. Cabanilla’s reason for the team's victory came down to one simple word, “Communication.” 

The Knights host Mesquite in a regional matchup on October 17th. Lopez’s main focus to be prepared for the matchup is simple: “Get Addie more touches.”