(GILBERT, Ariz.) Gilbert Christian swept ALA-Ironwood (25-21, 25-12, 25-16) in Tuesday's rematch to move to 9-6 on the year. The Knights have won four straight contests and have just two regular-season match-ups remaining in 2023.

"We were gritty tonight," Head Coach Alyssa Misuraca said. "I thought the girls worked hard for every ball and I was impressed with how Kaedra Lloyd and Alexia Heyn took charge at the net. Sidney Loth also had a great game, with some key serving runs and her defense in the backrow."

A slow start for the Knights saw the Warriors jump out to a significant early lead, but strong serving from junior Emma Caraveo got the squad rolling, and freshman Sienna Cathey followed suit with energetic play at the net as the Knights rallied back into contention and stole the momentum to capture the 25-21 come-from-behind win.

The back-and-forth continued into the second, but the Knights turned a corner after a big block from freshman Lillie Duitsman and Lloyd, which brought it to 9-5, before Loth added to the advantage with a timely ace. A solo roof from junior Kaila Aston brought the Knights closer and Caraveo added another ace of her own before Heyn turned up the heat with a pair of huge kills on the outside and the opposite side to put GCHS within two points of victory at 23-11. Heyn and Lloyd teamed up for another block to bring it to game point and Duitsman finished it off with a powerful slam to give Gilbert Christian a 2-0 edge.

Spirited play continued to propel the Knights in the third, with more of the same from the usual suspects. Aston got blocks, Caraveo registered aces and Cathey, Duitsman and Heyn put on a spike clinic as the squad cruised a 25-16 victory, securing the sweep.

ALA-Ironwood drops to 6-9 with the defeat. The Warriors sit in fourth place in the regional standings.

Gilbert Christian, the current second place team in the 3A South Central Region, travels to Grand Canyon University Arena on Saturday, October 21st for a 5:30pm game against first-place Valley Christian. Tickets for the event are $5 and must be purchased online (HERE) before the contest. Everyone in attendance (children/students) will need a ticket. A strict clear bag policy will be enforced at the door. All tickets include admittance to the GCU versus Seattle University match, taking place at 3:00pm, prior to the VCHS vs GCHS affair.

-GO KNIGHTS-