Drew Smith is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication student assigned to cover Cortez High School for AZPreps365.com

TEMPE – Fresh off sweeping their last two opponents, the tables turned for Cortez as Tempe swept the Colts, 3-0, on Wednesday at Tempe High School. 

All three sets were competitive as the Buffaloes won, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-22.

“It was a great match and we knew we were coming into their house,” Cortez coach Alberto Ramos said. “I know we have a very good team, and I was expecting this tough competition. I think we came in with a little bit of overconfidence, and we got taught a lesson, so we will get better for next time.”

The first set went back and forth, but the Colts never led. 

“Cortez has always been a tough team for us,” Tempe coach Doug Kiefer said. “I think we stepped up to the challenge and did much better in many aspects of our game. Our serve-receive passing was really strong tonight. Our team defense was a little bit off.” 

In the second set, the Buffaloes went on a 4-0 run and Brigitte Masoka had three service aces in the set. Near the end of the set, the Colts were able to come close, as they went on a 4-0 run to make it 18-24, but Tempe took the set, 25-21. 

In the third set, the Colts built a quick lead  Tempe went on a 6-0 run, when they were down 17-19. The Buffaloes then completed the sweep.  

The difference in the match was that the Colts made some simple mistakes. 

“We were disappointed in ourselves because we know we could have done better,” Colts senior Skyler Starchman said. 

Kiefer credited his team's rotations in the third set. 

“We were pretty strong when we have a certain hitter front row,” Kiefer said. “That's our go-to hitter for right now. If we're in the right rotation, we can run a lot of points and come from behind and take the lead and then finish.” 

The Colts will take a 12-day break before returning to the court. 

“I want to think about how we want to change,  like our attitudes, and better ourselves,” Starchman said. 

“We are going to do some conditioning and talking about the game plan for the next time,” Ramos said. “I don't want to hit the court right away.” 

Kiefer called it a “good win.”

“We talked about having to be more aggressive,” Kiefer said. “Our hitters need to be more ready and kill the ball a lot quicker.” 

Cortez (4-11, 2-2) will host Dysart (10-9, 2-1) on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.