(GILBERT, AZ.) Gilbert Christian opened its 2025 campaign with a 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-22) sweep of Snowflake on August 27th, before picking up 10-straight victories and the Longhorn Invitational crown over Labor Day weekend in Payson.
 
Junior Sienna Cathey earned all-tournament honors after the Knights' dominant 25-14 win over Campo Verde in the championship, securing GCHS its second-straight title in Payson.
 
Cathey also led the offensive effort against the Lobos in Gilbert Christian's home opener, compiling a whopping 15 kills on the outside for the Knights. Senior Alexia Heyn was next in line, with nine putdowns, while junior Ashley Gast managed eight in the three-set affair.
 
Defensively, sophomore libero Shay Loth single-handedly frustrated the Lobos' attack, digging up 20 for Gilbert Christian. Also a force on the backline was junior Lillie Duitsman, who recorded 15 digs, while adding five kills and an ace to her stat-line in front of a large Knight Nation crowd.
 
Setting up the attack were GCHS setters Sidney Loth and Kendall Moore, who dished out 24 and 12 assists, respectively.
 
Snowflake struggled on serve receive in the contest, particularly in the opening set, where Shay Loth rattled off four aces in a row for the Knights. Heyn's serve also caused issues for the Lobos, as she logged a pair of her own from behind the line.
 
Next up, the Knights travel to Valley Christian for a rivalry showdown on Wednesday, September 3rd (6:00pm), with the freshman and JV teams leading off the action at 4:00pm and 5:00pm.