#3 Gilbert got a third chance on Wednesday night at defeating its longest rival #12 Highland this season. The Tigers lost an invitational match to the Hawks the first week of September and a week ago bowed in five sets in the more critical region and power-ranking match.

The third meeting met with the desired result for Gilbert as the Tigers triumphed in four close sets. Scores were 25-22, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22 at The Jungle. It was the final regular-season match for both schools. The 6A state tournament begins next week.

Gilbert finishes the regular season 25-7 overall, 14-3 in power-ranking matches and 7-3 in the Central Region. That mark is good for second place in the region behind #1 and unbeaten Corona del Sol (17-0 prm). Highand finished 21-14-3 overall, 9-8 prm and 4-6 in region. Gilbert has qualified for state not needing a play-in match by virtue of a top-eight finish. The Tigers host a first-round playoff game on Nov. 3 against an opponent to be determined. Highland will host a play-in game to state on Nov. 1 against an opponent to be determined.

Gilbert's attack was paced by its senior-laden lineup. Senior outside hitter Becca King was tops with 17 kills, followed by sophomore hitter Raegan Richardson with 12 kills, senior middle Andi Nothdurft 10 kills and senior middle Sydney Mahon 9 kills. Highland was led offensively by junior hitter Zoe John (16 kills), sophomore opposite Kylie Helm (7 kills) and senior middle hitter Jewel Carling (6 kills).

Gilbert led nearly the entire match regardless of set. The Tigers never trailed in the first set, were behind a couple points early in the second and its largest deficit of the evening was three points in Highland's third-set win. Gilbert finished leading start to finish in the fourth.

It took a 4-0 Gilbert run to finish the first set. Down 22-21 the Tigers got kills from King, Richardson and Mahon. The final point was a King ace. Coming up big for Gilbert to close the second from a 22-all tie were a pair of kills from Nothdurft and a block by Richardson. Gilbert's win in the fourth set briefly looked easier than the others. The Tigers led 24-19, but Highland reeled off three consecutive kills - two by John and one by Caroline Munson. A Highland attack error closed the set and match.