Corona del Sol opened the girls volleyball season on Monday night showing it can play with the lead and play from behind. And do so with several weapons or just two.

With a seasoned and healthy team in tow, Corona treated the home fans to a 25-19, 25-21, 25-21 victory over Horizon in the 6A opener for both schools.

"Lots of good things out there tonight," Corona del Sol coach Ben Maxfield said. "Early we did a good job distributing. In the second set we got our big hitters the ball, and they went to work. It was a good night."

Junior hitter Brooke Nuneviller and senior middle Lauren Forte were thorns all match long for Horizon. They were particularly effective in the second set when Corona rallied from behind halfway throught to take the lead and earn the pivotal game of evening. Forte missed a huge chunk of last season due to injury. With good health this year and depth, the Aztecs figure to be a handful every night.

Nuneviller's all-around game was evident with her team-high 15, kills, 11 digs and four aces. She and Forte keyed a 17-8 finish to the second set. Forte registered seven of her 11 kills in the set and Nuneviller four plus three of her aces.

In the first set Nuneviller, Forte, Erica Ronda and Emma West contributed at least two kills each as Corona led from start to finish.

The Aztecs will be without Nuneviller for about two week as she joins the U.S. Youth National Team for competition Aug. 31-Sept. 8 in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the NORCECA U18 Continental Championships.  Nuneviller is a libero for the national team.

Horizon's long-time coach Valorie McKenzie knew her team was in for a battle with a team that as experienced as the Aztecs are coming in.

"They could have a big year with their seniors and lineup overall," McKenzie said. "I liked the way our defense playedd, but our passing really fell down. It's usually a strength."

Other than the second set, Horizon did not have a lead often. But it  managed to make every set close, even the last set. The Huskies were down 23-14 and got as close as 24-21 before Nuneviller ended it with her final kill of the night.

Joining Nuneviller and Forte in double-digits in kills was Ronda (10). Senior libero Camryn Tucker led with 12 digs and setters Abby Meyer (23 assists) and Madi Reum (19 assists) did their part.

Horizon was led on the attack by senior Erin Clark with 14 kills, seven in the third set and most of those late as the Huskies tried desperately to keep extend the match to a fourth set.