Gilbert's girls volleyball team came close to sweeping its fifth opponent in as many tries Thursday night, but it just as easily could have been a losing-ride home

Gllbert took to the road to face up-and-coming Corona del Sol and the Aztecs gave a strong account  before falling, 3-1, in a Division I match at Corona del Sol. Scores were 25-20, 25-22, 24-26 and 25-22.

"A couple momentum shifts here or there and we could have lost  3-1," Gilbert coach Joe Hesse said. "I thought Corona outplayed us. We may have had a few more options, and that helped us. They were stronger than I thought they'd be."

Gilbert ran its record to 5-0 and lost its first set of the campaign. With a veteran team in tow this year, the Tigers haven't disappointed with their early play. Gilbert's play in the middle -- particularly at the net -- may have been the difference. And a bigger night than usual from junior Kaitlyn Lines on the attack didn't hurt.

Lines unofficially finished  with a match-high 20 kills, including eight in the final set. Middle blockers Alexa Rockas and Krystal Blair added 13 and 11 kills, respectively. Senior Makenna Martin chipped in 10 kills with another solid, all-around performance. Rockas is a junior and Blair a sophomore.

Gilbert controlled the first two sets leading most of the way in both. Corona jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the third set, but Gilbert surged back in front after calling its first timeout of the match to quell Corona's momentum, Eventually a kill by Blair had Gilbert set up for match point at 24-22. A service error by Lines (one of six for her on the night) and a net serve by Corona that disrupted Gilbert's return evened the set at 24. Corona sent the match to the fourth set thanks to a  block by its junior middle Lauren Forte followed by an Emma West kill.

Niether team had more than a one-point lead through the first 27 points of the fourth set. Gilbert took the biggest lead of the set at 18-14 after a Lines' kill. Corona didn't let down, rallying for a 22-21 lead after an Erica Ronda winner at the left baseline.  A Rockas kill, hitting error by Forte, a Martin kill and an ace from  Allyson Fedor ended the match.

"KJ (Lines) did a great job offensively, but her serve was (pooh)," Hesse said. "Usually when she serves its a weapon. Not tonight."

Corona del Sol, which went to Tucson on Tuesday night and swept D-II power Ironwood Ridge, dropped to a very respectable 5-2 for the year. Aztecs coach Ben Maxfield was impressed with his team's play overall and is looking forward to a very good season with a mostly non-senior lineup on the floor. Of the 11 players who saw action for Maxwell on Thursday, only three are seniors.

"This showed me we can battle with the best," Maxfield said. "I'd consider Gilbert a top-three team this year. It was little things that hurt us tonight. Against a lot of other teams we could get away with those, but not against a team like Gilbert."

Sophomore hitter Brooke Nuneviller led Corona with 11 kills and 15 digs. Forte was next offenisively with nine kills and added six blocks. Forte, who is 6-foot-4, gave a verbal commitment on Wednesday to Cal. Setter Madi Reum had 36 assists and 10 digs and libero Camryn Tucker clocked in with 19 digs.

Gilbert and Corona head to Westwood HIgh on Friday and Saturday to compete in the 36-team Tournament of Champions. They will compete in the same pool  and will play again on Saturday.