Desert Vista is the two-time defending big-school girls volleyball champion. Gradually over the past two years, most of the cast delivering those titles has fallen away.

Expectations, however, remain high. So far in 2016 the Thunder have been pushed harder with the almost automatic sweep of the past not on the menu in their first three matches. Wednesday night a sweep returned as Desert Vista took down Mesa Mountain View, 25-19, 25-13, 25-19 at Toro Gym.

This victory was welcome on the heels of 3-2 loss on Tuesday night to a veteran Perry squad. What hurt most in the Perry loss was giving up a 2-sets-to-none lead.  That loss ended a 21-match winning streak for Desert Vista (3-1) dating back to October 2015. Mountain View dropped to 0-3 in power-ranking matches and struggled in last weekend's House of Payne Invite at Chandler.

The two returning starters from last sesaon for Desert Vista in pursuit of a three-peat are senior libero Kendall Glover and senior outside Hailey Dirrigl. They played their usual game Wednesday. Dirrigl pounded 13 kills and Glover chimed in with 13 digs. Dirrigl is averaging 15 kills per match and Glover contributed mid-20s in digs in the first three matches. 

Desert Vista coach Molly West is certainly pleased with the play of her starting returnees and the contributions early of players who waited their turn last year. West did make a change in the lineup at setter vs. Mountain View.

"We put Hayden (Boucher) in there with Madison (Garner)," West said. "She's played the position, and it seemed an easy transition for her. She played well."

Boucher, a senior, has played mostly as a defensive specialist and logged time last season on the JV. She and Garner collected 13 assists apiece in Wednesday's victory. 

Also continuing a good start to her season for DV is junior middle Abigail Hansen. Hansen was solid at the net in with seven kills and four blocks. She's averaged six blocks per match thus far.

Mountain View had a few brief moments, mostly early in each set when they were able to keep close. The Toros earned a 6-2 lead in the second set with two kills from Hannah Decious, one from Mala Tukuafu and a block from Taleni Ta'ase. A 13-0 run -- 12 of the points served by Boucher -- turned the to a rout. Tukuafu finished with six kills to pace Mountain View.

 

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