Lindsey Ridgway  is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover  Gilbert Christian High School  for AZPreps365.com

Gilbert Christian (5-5) took on Phoenix Country Day (7-0) in their first three-set match of the day in the Epic Tourney Invitational at Arizona State University Student Fitness Center on Friday. Set one was heavily dominated by Phoenix Country Day going on a 5-0 scoring run due to multiple attacking errors by Gilbert Christian. The Eagles solidified their set win with two kills by junior outside hitter Quincy Rodin paired with a set-point kill by sophomore libero Asia Harper. 

The Knights came out strong in set two going on a 6-0 scoring run due to errors this time from the Eagles as well as a dominant kill by freshman outside hitter Lillie Duitsman.  

Gilbert Christian was up by seven when the Eagles called a timeout and came back to go on a 10-0 run thanks to back-to-back kills by Rodin. Duitsman focused on coach Alyssa Misuracas' words when coming out of that timeout. 

“Take a deep breath, slow it down and we just need to do what we know,” Duitsman said. “We don’t need to be fancy with it.”

The Eagles closed out set two with a Knights attacking error to win the match, 25-11, 25-19.

Eagles Coach Kat Glaeseman was focused on her team doing more when they were down by that high deficit than just cheering.

“We are trying to work on being composed even when we’re down,” Glaeseman said. “Making sure we are taking it on point at a time and giving each other direction and not just saying, ‘let’s go’ or ‘come on’.”

In match two of the day, Gilbert Christian took on the Desert Mountain Wolves (6-2). The Knights again started strong, building a 7-1 lead. Despite that, the Wolves quickly took over with their own scoring run assisted by two kills from junior outside hitter Regan Ayres and junior middle Rory Kelly Tower. The Wolves took set one, 25-18.

Set two was filled with errors for both the teams, joined by long runs and slow play. The Knights started on top with a 6-0 run with blocks by junior middle Kaedra Lloyd and senior setter Rio Taylor. The Eagles answered back, outscoring the Knights 6-1 and winning the match, 25-18, 25-17.

The Knights won their final match of the day against Marana,  22-25, 25-17,17-15. 

Gilbert Christian used the Epic Tourneys Volleyball Invite as a way to get more experience under their belt without it hurting their conference record.  

“It gives us a look at competitive players and teams so that we can see bigger, faster, stronger teams that we don’t get to normally see,” Misuraca said. “It shows them how well they can play. They (Gilbert Christian) perform so much better when they are playing up and are playing who they are truly.”

Gilbert Christian will host Valley Christian at 6 p.m. Tuesday.