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Xavier downs Sunnyslope in 5-set thriller

By Rebecca Daly

Staff Writer


Volleyball player spiking the ball
Xavier Prep outlasted Sunnyslope Wednesday night in a battle of volleyball powers. (Hayden Coyle/Staff)

Xavier Prep and Sunnyslope put on a show Wednesday night, showing nothing less than expected from two teams ranked within the top three in the state.


The match went into an exhilarating five sets, where Xavier Prep finished the game strong in the last set. The No. 1 ranked team in the state remains undefeated at 12-0 as they head into the final weeks of the season. No. 3 ranked Sunnyslope now has a 9-3 record.


Xavier kept a dominant lead in the first set ending it at 25-16 in its lively home atmosphere. However in the second set, Sunnyslope picked up the pace and was more competitive. 


Sunnyslope took the lead early on, and Xavier Prep slowly caught up and tied the set at 15-15, but was stuck trailing by one point for much of the rest of the set. Sunnyslope won the second set 25-22.


“There’s ebbs and flows in everything, but these girls really believe in each other, they have goals. We're just really fortunate to have so many people and so many options and ways to score,” Xavier Prep Head Coach Lamar-Renee Bryant said.


The third set was very similar to the second, but the lead switched back to Xavier Prep. The score was close throughout the set, with fans cheering on both sides of the bleachers and the Vikings giving it their all. Still, they were not able to take a lead at any point. 


Sophomore outside hitter Tessa Larkin finished off the set for Xavier Prep with two kills, adding to her 19 total for the game, making the score of the third set 25-22. This put the Gators in the lead with a match score of 2-1. 


During these sets, the passion and skill shown from both teams was incredible. Players from both teams’ ability to communicate with their teammates on the court and use different strategies on offense and defense made for a very entertaining game. 


Sunnyslope came back and dominated the fourth set with a 10-point lead. Sophomore outside hitter Vega Tunnell and senior middle hitter Sasha Leon had blocks and kills all over for the Vikings. 


Xavier impressively managed to drop the 10-point deficit down to a two-point deficit at the end of the set in hopes of ending the game right there. But, Sunnyslope ended up being victorious in the fourth set winning 25-22, tying up the match score 2-2.

 

Xavier came in hot in the fifth and final set. They were up 10-4 when junior middle blocker Allison Dunnion made a big block that the Vikings saved and hit right back over the net, where Dunnion was there, waiting for the kill. Dunnion finished off the set for the Gators with a kill to seal the 15-7 score, and win the game. 


“My coaches told me they needed me at that moment, and I just stepped up to the plate,” Dunnion said.


Dunnion is this week’s player of the game, with six kills in the last set alone, seven total blocks and nine total kills. She made the game of volleyball look effortless with her gentle taps over the net that were very effective in gaining points. 


This matchup was a sneak peak to the competition these two teams will be facing in the last few games of the regular season. Sunnyslope will host Xavier Prep next week for a rematch. 


“Sunnyslope and Xavier have a long history, and they capitalized on our errors and they took care of business. We were fortunate enough to come out with a win tonight, and set five really set the tone for tomorrow,” Bryant said.


Xavier prep plays No. 5 Corona del Sol on Thursday for what should be another skillful game. 


“We’re definitely going to take our grit that we had this game into that game, and our communication that we used in that last set. And I think we’re definitely going to take that bond we have as a group,” Dunnion said.


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