Lindsey Ridgway is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Gilbert Christian High School for AZPreps365.com

Donning purple ribbons in honor of the team's only senior, Gilbert Christian swept Globe High School in its final home regular season match on Monday, 25-9, 25-10, 25-15.

Despite coming off of a loss last week against San Tan Foothills, Gilbert Christian (10-7) previously was on a seven-game winning streak, projecting them into the postseason. Globe (1-8) won its first match of regional play last week.

Throughout the first set, the Knights outscored the Tigers holding them to nine points partially due to more than 10 attack errors from the Tigers paired with multiple service errors. The Knights came through set one with over five aces and five kills, winning set one, 25-9. 

Coming into set one dominant is always the plan, but Gilbert Christian coach Alyssa Misuraca said it all begins with intention.

“If they've got the energy and they've got the intention behind it, they're ready to go and they can play with literally anybody,” Misuraca said. “It just all comes down to do they have the energy and are they ready that night.”

The Knights started off serving in set two giving up two points straight away on errors. Unlike set one, it was back and forth through the first six points but despite putting up a fight at first, Gilbert Christian went  on a 7-0 scoring run to build a 16-6 lead. Set two ended quickly with the Knights having nine kills and eight aces bringing them to a 25-10 win.

Gilbert Christian’s only senior setter, Rio Taylor, had three consecutive aces and two kills including the set point after fumbling the first set point with a service error. 

“I think, I finally set my nervousness aside, and I just wanted to give it my all for my last home game, you know, and then honestly, the other players just cheering me on is really what pushed me,” Taylor said.

Heading into set three, Globe came out determined, holding Gilbert Christian to a back-and-forth battle through the first 11 points. An ace paired by Knights junior middle hitter Kaila Aston followed immediately by an ace from freshman Lillie Duitsman allowed Gilbert Christian to break away and go on a 13-1 scoring run. Rounding out set three was a Globe attack error sandwiched between two aces by freshman Ashley Gast.

Despite coming up short, Globe coach Lisa Hansen said the loss should motivate her team  as they head into their last two matches.. 

“I think that this game builds excitement for our team again,” Hansen said. “We've kind of been on a low, just having some struggles and stuff. So they had a lot of fun.  Obviously, there's a big difference in the levels of our team here, so I think that they played well against them and had fun so they can take that excitement into the final two.”

With more matches still to play as they advance to the postseason, Misuraca has obvious hopes that her team will win and keep advancing but beyond that her team is happy with its performance. 

“I just want them to be happy with where we finished as a team,” Misuraca said. “Whatever that looks like as an outcome, just knowing that we did our best and we played our hardest no matter what happens.”

Globe will host Miami on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Gilbert Christian will begin play in the 3A South Central tournament at Gilbert Christian High School next Tuesday. Their opponent has yet to be determined.