Jude Binkley in an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mesquite for AZPreps365.com.

The Mesquite Wildcats were defeated in three sets by the Seton Catholic Prep Sentinels on Thursday, 25-17, 25-16 and 25-22.

The night’s game was themed “Dig Pink” for cancer awareness. Mesquite wore pink jerseys and players from both ends of the court presented roses to family and friends they were playing for in the stands.

The crowd was masked and socially distanced with attendance limited. Players sat in chairs on the sidelines six feet apart and a crew of students sanitized the ball after every rally.

The opening pair of sets followed a similar beat, the Sentinels (4-0) found a lead and never looked back. The second set started as a back and forth, with five ties before the Sentinels solidified their lead.

The Wildcats (3-3, 2-1 4A Desert Sky) had moments when they swung the momentum and went on runs, in part due to senior Annika Wallace’s setting, giving way to powerful kills from senior middle blocker Evie Taylor and junior outside hitter Hailey Hanna.

The Wildcats adjusted and opened the third set with a 10-4 lead due to increased risk taking, an adjustment coach Carlos Flys wanted to see from the beginning.

“Towards the end they started taking some risks, which is what I asked them to do,” Flys said. “Because playing it safe wasn’t working. When we jumped up on the third set it was because we started taking risks.”

After a Seton timeout, the Sentinels went on a six-point run. The visitors gradually gained their ground back and tied the game at 22, before going on to capture the set and complete the sweep.

“We did talk about some changes and different places where they can put the ball,” Flys said. “We have to take some risks, even if that means making some mistakes.”

Mesquite was without senior middle blocker Elli Cano, who Flys said gives the team more options and versatility.

The Wildcats go on fall break next week and will return to host Marcos de Niza (1-3) on October 13. The teams faced off earlier this season with the Wildcats taking a 3-0 victory. Attendance will be limited to 25 percent.