A sense of quiet unease hung in the air of Hamilton's gym Tuesday night.

It could have been due to the fact that the national anthem wouldn’t play before the game and had to be replaced by the pledge of allegiance. It could have been because on the other side of the net, No. 2-ranked Xavier Prep was looming, hungry to avenge two losses to the Huskies. But it's more likely it was because Hamilton, ranked No. 3 in the state, was coming off back-to-back losses and was in desperate need of some momentum to take into the state tournament.

Whatever the reason, Hamilton got its mojo back in this 6A premier division rivalry.

The Xavier Gators, one of the top teams in the state had fought hard against the Huskies all season, dropping their first two matches with Hamilton by just one set each.

On Tuesday, the Gators took an early two-point lead and held it through the first half of the first set, but Hamilton, led by senior hitter Taylor Jacobsen and her six early kills, stormed back to take the set, 25-20.

“We definitely knew after (Monday) night we had to come out and win this game,” Jacobsen said. “I think we all had a positive mindset coming into this game. We all worked together and talked really well on the floor tonight.”

In the second set, the Gators once again jumped on Hamilton early, taking a 3-7 lead. However, once again the Huskies, led this time by a dominant six-kill performance from junior India Rhodes, battled back and brought things even at 20 apiece. Xavier was just two points away from taking the set at 23-21 but once again the Huskies rallied, and freshman hitter Jordan Middleton slammed the door shut with back-to-back kills to finish the set.

“I don’t let things get to me and shake me up," Middleton said. "I like to stay confident and know that hey, we’re the underdogs here, we can overcome anything.”

With all the momentum and a 2-0 lead, Hamilton dominated the final set, holding the Gators at arm’s length and finishing their season as the only Arizona team to sweep Xavier Prep in a match, 3-0.

“They’re a great program,” Xavier coach Lamar-Renee Bryant said. “(Hamilton coach Sharon) Vanis had her girls going tonight and we play in a tough conference. It’s called the premier for a reason. I tip my hat to them. They did a great job.”

Hamilton will finish its season 31-9, their eighth 30-win season in nine years. State brackets have not been released yet but with another win over No. 2 Xavier, the third-ranked Huskies have to like the position they find themselves in.

“Our kids came off a tough loss (Monday) night to Basha, and I was pleased with the way they came together as a group, regrouped and competed tonight,” Vanis said. “Xavier’s a good program and they’ll be out to get us, but we really needed that for rankings.”

The state tournament will begin next Tuesday, and Hamilton will likely host their opening round match. Despite numerous great seedings and talented teams, the Huskies have not won a state title in the last decade.