(QUEEN CREEK, Ariz.) Junior Alexia Heyn and sophomore Lillie Duitsman swept top-seeded Saguaro (21-14, 21-13) in the 2025 AIA Division II Beach Volleyball Pairs Championship to become Gilbert Christian's first-ever beach volleyball state title holders. 
 
Heyn and Duitsman finish the season at 19-1 overall, having lost one match to Estrella Foothills' Abby Stenz and Autumn Hill in the team semifinal, a heartbreaking match which ultimately ended the Knights' team title run. In an improbable twist of fate, the duo avenged that defeat in the pairs semifinal, upsetting the previously unbeaten second seed in straight sets to reach the championship game. 
 
Saguaro's Bella Reyes and Maddie Tately entered the state title match as the tournament favorite, undefeated at 16-0, before falling victim to Heyn and Duitman's well-balanced and unstoppable split attack. 


 
Heyn logged six kills in the opening set, keeping the Sabercats on their toes with a pair of putdowns via option, while managing one ace, three digs and two blocks for the Knights. Duitsman, for her part, came up with five digs, a pair of aces, two kills and a block, while making next to no errors in the 21-14 victory.
 
Set two was equally dominant for both Heyn and Duitsman, despite Saguaro attempting to modify its strategy against the two powerhouse Knights. The adjustment resulted in seven kills from Duitsman and six more from Heyn. Caught off guard by Heyn and Duitsman's elevated and aggressive play, the Sabercats struggled to find a rhythm throughout the set, making forced and unforced errors all over the sand. Heyn was lights out from the service line, logging four of Gilbert Christian's points via aces. Duitsman continued to cover ground, adding five more digs to her stat-line as the pair collected the 21-13 win.
 
There are 45 AIA Division II beach volleyball programs. In order to participate in a varsity match, each team much provide five pairs to represent its school. Of the approximated 225 pairs, 20 were selected to compete in the pairs state tournament. Of Arizona's top-20 DII pairs, Heyn and Duitsman are the only team to end the season with a win. 
 
Both players champions will return in 2026.