O’Connor knocks off defending champ to remain perfect
September 5, 2023 by Ben Stapley, AZPreps365
Sandra Day O’Connor continues to demonstrate why it might be the team to beat this season in 6A.
After sweeping through last week’s House of Payne Invitational in Chandler, O’Connor was back in the East Valley Tuesday night for a showdown with defending 6A state champion Corona del Sol.
Not a problem.
The Eagles were too much for the Aztecs, as O’Connor polished its perfect record with a convincing 25-13, 25-22, 25-15 victory.
Outside hitters Devyn Wiest and Katie Lambeth combined for 25 kills as O’Connor (12-0) took control early in the first set and never relinquished.
“We knew there was going to be a lot of pressure, and we always say pressure is a privilege,” Wiest said afterward.
“We know we’re going to get the best from our opponents so we want to play the best.”
Corona’s best sequence of the match came in the second set trailing by nine (15-6). Junior Alyssa Aguayo (12 kills) led an Aztec rally that evened the second game at 16 and eventually 19-19.
O’Connor volleyball makes another statement with a 3-0 sweep of defending 6A champ Corona del Sol. Junior Devyn Wiest (13 kills) discusses the win. pic.twitter.com/5bQbXFwHaV
— Ben Stapley (@AZpreps365Ben) September 6, 2023
But O’Connor never wilted, as Wiest came up with two kills and freshman Kristen Sheehy came up with a huge block for the Eagles to help close out set two.
Iana Loera added five blocks for O’Connor, which has only lost one set in 12 matches thus far.
“We knew Corona had a really good team again this year so this is a big win for us,” O’Connor coach Amanda Burbridge said afterward.
“We were able to transition well for most of the match and that was key for us.”
Maggie Beauer added five kills for Corona del Sol (3-1).
