By Don Ketchum

Phoenix Horizon won the last two volleyball championships in Class 5A Division II, so it was well within the realm of possibility that the Huskies could defeat Class 5A Division I champ Phoenix Xavier Prep on Tuesday night (Sept. 13).

But a sweep? Really?

Yes, really.

Xavier seemed out of sync all night, and virtually everything Horizon did turned to gold (and green) as the Huskies scored a 25-23, 25-19, 25-19 sweep.

There was a state tournament atmosphere, with the home Horizon crowd offering loud support for their heroines.

“The crowd makes volleyball so much fun, but we have a lot of fun playing Xavier anyway,’’ said Horizon coach Valorie McKenzie. “Tim (McCale, Xavier coach) and I get along. He’s a great guy and his teams come in ready to play.’’

Not so much in this one, however.

McCale said his team came in unfocused. That was illustrated in the final point of the match, when the Gators served out of rotation, handing Horizon the win.

“Horizon had our number tonight,’’ McCale said. “It’s always fun to play them. But we didn’t show up. They’re big and physical and we didn’t do the things we were supposed to do. It’s a learning experience. Better to learn now than later, in the (new Division I) state tournament.’’

Xavier and Horizon had played in last week’s (Mesa) Westwood tournament. Xavier won the event, defeating Gilbert High in the final, and Gilbert defeated Horizon in the semifinal.

“It was a good tournament, but Gilbert took it to us,’’ McKenzie said. “When we came out for practice (Monday), we concentrated on defense and blocking, blocking and digging. It helped us tonight. We came out, stayed confident and stayed aggressive.’’

McKenzie has seven sophomores and one freshman on the roster, but they play much older. The Huskies are taller than many of their opponents. Eight players are listed at 6 feet or taller.

“The height helps, but you also have to be athletic,’’ McKenzie said.

The key players on the front line are 6-foot junior Nikki Hess, 6-1 sophomore Sierra Nobley, 6-1 sophomore Tess Clark, 6-4 sophomore Christine Johnson and 6-1 sophomore Jensen Cunningham.

Horizon had solid passing, forceful kills and aggressive defense.

Seniors Bianca Arellano and Abby Hornacek played well for Xavier, but it wasn’t enough this time around.

And the next time around? McKenzie knows that Xavier now has plenty of motivation.

“It will be a dogfight,’’ she said.