(QUEEN CREEK, Ariz.) Junior Alexia Heyn and sophomore Lillie Duitsman advanced to the 2025 AIA Beach Volleyball Pairs Championship semifinal with wins over Mesquite (21-18, 21-14) and Barry Goldwater (21-12, 21-13) at Casteel High School on Tuesday. 
 
As the third-seeded squad in the tournament, Heyn and Duitsman bypassed the first round and moved directly into day two action. 
 
Mesquite, which bested Cicero Prep on day one, battled against the Knights, using unconventional shots to jump out to an early five-point lead. Heyn and Duitsman, having not competed since April 23rd, were uncharacteristically tentative out of the gates, but swiftly found a rhythm, storming back to claim the first set 21-19. In the second, the Knights cruised, making quick work of the Wildcats to earn a place in the quarterfinal.


 
The undersized and scrappy Bulldogs were outmatched from the beginning in the 6:30pm round of eight, as Heyn and Duitsman's play improved in accuracy and intensity as the evening progressed. The Knights' top pair found ways to score from all over, showing versatility as they served, tipped, slammed and hustled their way to victory in straight sets.  


 
Heyn and Duitsman sit at 15-1 on the season, having lost a close two-set match to Estrella Foothills' Abby Stenz and Autumn Hill (15-0) in the quarterfinal round of the team state tournament.  Thursday's semifinal match-up will be a chance for redemption, as the Knights' will need to defeat No. 2 Stenz and Hill in order to play for the 2025 state title. The semifinal is scheduled for 5:00pm at Casteel. Should Gilbert Christian upset Estrella Foothills, Heyn and Duitsman would play in the championship, against No. 1 Saguaro or No. 4 Fountain Hills, at 6:30pm.