(GILBERT, Ariz.) Senior night was a smashing success for Gilbert Christian's volleyball team, which bested the Globe Tigers in straight sets (25-9, 25-10, 25-15) to end the regular season at 10-7.

"We did a good job playing hard and being competitive consistently through the majority of the game," Head Coach Alyssa Misuraca said. "I thought that everyone was really flexible and intentional as we switched around who played next to who. I have to give credit to Sienna and Alex for being big on offense and Addi for her aggressive serving and locking down our defense."

Aces reigned in the opener, as the Knights stepped up their serving game to record five points from behind the endline. Sophomore Addie Steil led the way with three of her own, and both the offensive and defensive efforts were consistent and evenly rounded as GCHS cruised to a big 25-9 victory.

In the second, freshman Lillie Duitsman got the ball rolling early with series of big kills, before moving to the back row where her defense set the Knights' attack up for success. The front row combo of junior setter Emma Caraveo and freshman outside hitter Sienna Cathey proved effective at the midway point, recording a number of hardwood-denting kills to the middle of the court to secure a significant edge for GCHS. It was all senior Rio Taylor down the stretch, who made the magic happen by rattling off more than a few aces, before finishing the Tigers with a tip to the middle in route to her team's 25-10 win.

Sophomore Alexia Heyn stood out on the floor for the Knights in the third, shutting down the Tigers' attack with several large blocks while aiding the offense with some powerful putdowns to keep her squad out front. Globe, however, fought back from a large early deficit to tie it up at 8-all and snagged its first advantage at 11-10, but a determined Duitsman tipped one over the block to bring it back to even at 11-11, before junior Kaila Aston registered an ace to earn the lead back. Junior Kaedra Lloyd struck next, showing her presence at the net and Aston continued her long serving run, which included a number of aces as GCHS jumped back into command at 19-12. The momentum stayed with the Knights until the end, when a Taylor smash and a pair of aces from freshman Ashley Gast ended it at 25-15.

Cathey led all players with 10 kills on the day. Taylor and Aston recorded four aces apiece, combining for eight of the team's 17 total aces, and Duitsman secured her spot as the Knights' defensive leader, for the second match in a row, with 13 digs. Taylor also registered 17 assists for GCHS while setting. 

The Knights return to action at home on October 31st for a play-in game. The opponent and time are to be determined.

-GO KNIGHTS-