The streak without a state volleyball tournament victory had to end for #10 Pinnacle or #7 Mesa Tuesday as they collided in the opening round of the 6A playoffs at Jackrabbit Gym. Pinnacle hadn't won a state tournament match since 2007; Mesa's drought longer (2005).

Pinnacle got the nod in this one playing the best in four tight sets and recording a 25-20, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20. Pinnacle earned a spot at state last week beating Mesa Mountain in four sets in a play-in game. The Pioneers will bring a 26-12 record to Thursday's 6:30 quarterfinal at defending champ and #2 Xavier Prep. Xavier swept #15 Skyline to advance. Mesa's season concludes with a 30-13 mark that included yet another East Valley Region title.

Pinnacle coach Katelynn Paine, in her fifth year as coach, has been confident in her team all season as it progressed. That confidence didn't wane even after a slightly slow start in the opening set and a 10-point deficit in the second the Pioneers nearly made up.

"When they get going they can do anything," Paine said. "They are so much fun to coach. We played well tonight."

Senior middle blocker Kylee Stokes led Pinnacle's attack with 15 kills. Sophomore setter Brooke Cowie was outstanding with double-digit assists in each set and finishing with 52. Outside hitters Yazmina Gonzalez (12 kills) and Oliva Rattler (10) and middle Madison Lounds (7) rounded out the top hitters.

Pinnacle found itself trailing quickly 5-1 in the first set with three successive hitting errors the primarty culprit. A 6-0 run helped by serving of Cowie put the Pioneers ahead to stay. Mesa battled back in the second set and built a 20-10 lead. Pinnacle bounced back via a 9-0 run with Hannah Hatton serving eight of those points. The third set saw neither team lead by more than four points. Pinnacle was up 22-20 after a 5-0 run; Mesa answered to go up 23-22. The next point was earned on the longest rally of the match and won by Pinnacle as Leight Morton set down her only kill of the evening to even the score. Gonzalez and Stokes finished the set with kills.

Pinnacle controlled the fourth set most of the way and withstood a final salvo from Mesa senior outside hitter Annie Hatch to win the match and advance.

"They played great out of system and played us fast," Mesa coach Amy Strawn said, after giving daughters Annie and Kate a hug. "They didn't play that fast when I watched them against Mountain View. We're not used to seeing that pace."

"They got some big points on dumps we couldn't defend and took advantage when Annie was in the back row."

Annie Hatch, an Iowa State commit, finished a stellar career with 30 kills and 26 digs. Setter Kate Hatch added 16 digs, 37 assists and three aces and libero Roma McEvoy contributed 16 digs.