Before Saturday night, Xavier's most recent state volleyball title came in 2018. For the Gators that seemed like an eternity.

The 6A volleyball trophy is back at Xavier again, after the Gators took down a feisty Corona del Sol team in four sets, 25-16, 25-16, 17-25, 27-25. Sophomore Tessa Larkin led Xavier with 22 kills while Elle McCreery and Vivian Hickman combined for 26 kills.

Xavier overcame another masterful performance from Corona del Sol senior Alyssa Aguayo, who had 27 kills and helped the Aztecs get back in the match after the Gators dominated the first two sets.

"Six years does feel like a long time," Xavier coach Lamar Renee-Bryant said after the victory. "I'm just so happy for these seniors. This group of seniors were freshmen the first year we ever had to play-in to make the state tournament. And this year we got it done, and these seniors can end their careers with a state championship."

Aguayo and the Aztecs were aiming for their second title in three years. After the first two sets were dominated by Xavier, things looked bleak. The Gators quickness was no match for Corona's height advantage, and the Aztecs appeared overwhelmed despite splitting two regular season matches. 
"We had a deer in the headlights  kind of thing going on," Corona coach Ben Maxfield said. 
 

But the Aztecs dug deep and made it a memorable championship match.

Behind Aguayo, Corona del Sol took game three, giving the Aztec players and fans some revival.
Then things got interesting in game four. Xavier appeared to have control with a 17-12 lead before Corona del Sol found more fight. Aguayo and Hayden Connor each had big kills as the Aztecs moved within three points (22-19). 
 

Two more Aguayo kills and and several Xavier hitting errors tied the set at 25, and the Gators were reeling. 
But kills from Annemarie O'Gara and Larkin closed out the set and match.

"We have to give Corona credit," Larkin said. "We were playing well but we knew they were a better team than the first two games. They made some adjustments and we almost went to a fifth. But I'm still so proud of our team because we got it done done when we needed to."