Corona del Sol's girls volleyball team has beaten a lot of teams this season. If not the first time, then the second. 

There was one this weekend the Aztecs couldn't solve and that forced them to setttle for second in their latest invitational run.

Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville, KY) was a force for all comers as the Valkyries rolled the field in winning the Platinum (elite) bracket of the 8th Nike Tournament of Champions Invitational at the Ray Kroc Salvation Army Center in Phoenix. Scores of the final were 25-17, 25-17. Corona never led in the match as Sacred Heart built solid, early leads.

"They were good, they're a great team," Corona del Sol coach Ben Maxfield said. "We lost to them (Friday) in two sets. We were happy to get a second chance at them. They proved they were as good as the first time."

Corona has reached the Platinum bracket in past Nike tournaments, but never to the final until this year. 

Sacred Heart was a perfect 7-0 in the tournament and didn't lose a set. On the way to the title they defeated Arizona entries Sunnyslope, Hamilton, Corona del Sol. 

Corona (24-3) gains a nice takeaway from their second invitational even though it earned just a runner-up trophy. The Aztecs won Westwood's TOC  two weeks ago and were able to avenge a loss to Hamilton in winning the tournament title.

Corona completed the weekend 5-2. The Aztecs scored a huge win over Archbishop MItty in the semfiinals, erasing ia seven-poiint deficit in the opening set and going on to a sweep. Archbishop MItty won the prestiigious Durango Invitational two weeks ago knocking off Xavier Prep in the final.

In Saturday evening's final, Corona came out firing, but empty for the first seven points. Sacred Heart was equal and more during the 7-0 run, excelling in all phases. Sacred Heart senior middle blocker Kaelin Gentile collected two blocks and two kills in the run.

Corona battled hard to pull within 8-6, but the fast-attacking Valkyries weren't to be denied. They surged to a 24-12 advantage before the Aztecs managed to make the first set final somewhat close.

The second set was more of the same. Corona found itself behind quickly 9-3 and called the match's first timeout again. Corona pulled within a point (12-11), but near the finish was on the short end of a 23-14 score.

Corona's attack was led by junior Brooke Nuneviller (eight kills) and senior Lauren Forte (six kills).  Sacred Heart had seven players with at least one kill led by opposite Lauryn Bennett (8), Gentile and Paige Hammons (six apiece) and Abigail Westenhofer (five).

The only other Arizona school to reach the Platinum Bracket was Gilbert. The Tigers were eliminated from championship consideration after a 2-1 loss to Notre Dame Belmont in the first round of bracket play. Other Arizona schools enjoying good tournaments were Chaparral. which beat Pinnacle for the Diamond Bracket title; Arcadia, a winner over Seton Catholic in the Sapphire Bracket championship, Desert Edge winning the Emerald title over Sandra Day O'Connor and Thatcher taking the Ruby crown.