#8 Seton and #7 Arcadia have shown thus far they are the two best girls volleyball teams in the 4A Desert Sky Region. They faced off Monday evening with sole possession of first in the region on the line.

The match was actually very close, but sometimes the outcomes of close sets equal a sweep.  That's what transpired as Seton put away visiting Arcadia, 3-0. Scores were 25-16, 26-24 and 27-25.

Both teams played seven matches each over the weekend at the Nike TOC with Seton going 6-1 and Arcadia2-5, so they were back in action without much of a breather. With Monday's triumph Seton is 15-3 overall, 9-2 in power-ranking matches and 5-0 in region. Arcadia is 12-8 overall, 10-2 prm and 4-1 in region. 

The difference in the match, according to Seton coach James Johnson, was resilience. That's the trait that stood out for the coach and it fit perfectly.

"It's all about chemistry and how resilient we were," Johnson said. "They go out and play their game no matter the opponent. We passed the ball well, got it to the setter and good things happen when that's the case."

Seton took the first set which was tight at 15-13. No lead larger than three. From that point the Sentinels went on a 10-2 run. Sophomore libero Rachael Martinez, who was outstanding defensively, closed it out with three successive aces.

Seton's Catherine Schwab (14) 0n the attack against block attempe from Arcadia's Zora Carrier (Photo courtesy Rory Self).

The next two sets opened favoring Arcadia. The Titans forged a 19-14 lead in the second, but Seton pieced a 10-3 run for set point at 24-22. Back-to-back kills by Arcadia's senior outside Zora Carrier evened the set.

Arcadia's Bella Hanson then served and appeared headed for an ace as the ball caromed off the receiver deep in Seton's end. Martinez hustled beyond the service line and passed it back on the court where teammate Brinn Higinbotham was able to send it back in desperation. Desperation and landing for a kill to the stunned looks of Arcadia's players. Seton outside-opposite Catherine Schwab finished it with one of her match-high 21 kills (unofficially).

Set three was virtually a replay of the second. Arcadia controlled play at 17-10 with Ally Bolden (5 kills), Zora Carrier (7 kills), Lauren Sayre, Jaclyn Reid (4 kills) and Diana Thies (7 kills) taking turns on the the attack .

But Seton bounced back. The Sentinels caught Arcadia at 20 and the teams went back and forth with one-point leads. Arcadia's last lead was 25-24. Johnson called time with set point awaiting his team for a second time.

A tip kill by junior Christina Kuras (11 kills unofficially) tied it at 25. During the timeout Johnson planted several options for the attack and one was a dump attempt by senior setter Delaney Shearan. Shearan executed it catching Arcadia offguard and setting up match point. An Arcadia error wrapped up the match.

The teams have a rematch on Oct. 24 at Arcadia, the final week of the regular season.