Antonio Gutierrez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Corona Del Sol High School for AZPreps365.com.

 

Fans filed into Larry Hughes Court at Corona Del Sol High School to watch the Aztec girls volleyball team’s first home game in two weeks. The Aztec fans made themselves heard throughout the match.

The Corona Del Sol Aztecs swept the Millennium Tigers in a regional matchup on Wednesday, October 16, winning 25-22, 25-22 and 25-21.

Junior Hayden Conner and senior captain, Alyssa Aguayo, led the Aztecs, ranked second in the state. The match began with a kill from Conner, which turned into a common theme throughout the night as Conner racked up multiple kills and said their offensive approach was “to be smart.” 

“There is always an open spot on the court, and we just have to find it,” Conner said.

Corona found multiple open spots in the Millennium defense, giving it a quick 5-3 lead. The Aztecs and the Tigers fought back and forth but ultimately multiple kills from junior Paige Nenaber and Agauyo helped lead the Aztecs to their largest lead of the set at 15-10. Corona never trailed in the first set of the match, winning 25-22.

After dropping the first set, Millennium took the first point of the second match courtesy of a kill by senior Sa’mya Dorsey. The attack for the Tigers scored multiple kills in the second set, getting through the Aztec block. Corona head coach Ben Maxfield said the game plan next time will be to get the block on the swing or funnel out to passers.

With the Tigers' offense clicking, their serving cost them, missing more than five serves during the match, one to increase the Corona lead in the second set to 20-17. Led by multiple kills from Aguayo, the Aztecs went on to win the second set 25-22 again.

Aguayo racked up double-digit kills on the night, which is the sixteenth time she has done so this season.

“I really try to go after every ball and make sure I’m swinging over the top,”  Aguayo said. “I always make sure that I’m staying calm and being confident.”

Corona junior libero Erin Clark highlighted the third set, making multiple diving saves throughout the match. But maybe none as crucial as one that helped set up a kill, giving the Aztecs a 13-8 lead. Another lead that Corona would never surrender as a block by sophomore setter, Adelyn Cheng, sealed the match. 

Corona moved to 3-0 in regional play on the season with its win over Millennium. The Aztecs are took on the Xavier Prep Gators on October 17 -- an Xavier team ranked first in the state.

“We love it because we’re No. 1 and No. 2 right now,” Maxfield said. “There shouldn’t be any pressure worrying about ranking.”