Perry VB avenges sweep with sweep

October 19, 2022 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Perry's Avery Stones (pink shoes) tallies a point in the Pumas sweep of Hamilton on Wednesday night. (Azpreps365 photo)

One would think when Perry and Hamilton girls volleyball square off, fans should settle in for four- or five-set battles. Two of 6A's top programs, these Chandler district rivals have done nothing but sweep one another in their two regular-season meetings in 2021 and and again in 2022.

On Wednesday night it was #5 Perry's turn to post a sweep on #4 Hamilton's home court. Scores were 25-23, 25-20, 25-20. Back in late September at Perry, Hamilton took the whisk broom to the Pumas, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23. The visiting team has won every time so home-court advantage hasn't played a role. Perry improved to 12-2 overall in power-ranking matches, 5-1 in the Premier Region. The Pumas are tied for first for the region lead with Xavier Prep (9-6, 5-1). Xavier visits Perry Thursday night for sole possession of the region lead. Hamilton is 13-2, 4-2. The Huskies also play Thursday hosting Basha.

Perry took to the attack primarily with senior outside hitter Avery Burks, who responded with a match-high 22 kills. Amy Wahlin added seven kills. Libero Braelyn Woodworth paced the Pumas defense with 20 digs and and Kate Wagner was next with 14 digs. Hamilton's Neomi Beach recorded 19 kills and Mikayla Haner added 9 kills. The Huskies were led defensively by senior libero Lauren Mullings (25 digs).

Perry hung on to take the first set after giving up an early 12-7 lead. Hamilton pulled in front by two twice late, the last time 19-17. The Huskies were hurt at clutch time by three attack errors. Burks posted Perry's final two points, giving her seven in the set.

Hamilton had play go its way through the mid-point of the second set. A 15-12 lead was its largest. Back-to-back kills by Burks snapped a 15-15 tie. The Pumas last deficit in the set was 15-14 and they score four of the final five points.

Perry was steadfast in winning the third set. The Pumas never trailed and fashioned its largest lead at 16-9. Burks ran off four consecutive kills to break a 3-3 tie. Avery Stones, Kenna Cogill and Wahlin added kills in the run up to the 16-9 lead. Wahlin chipped in a block