Kyle Wesolek is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mesa High School for AZPreps365.com

Despite a strong effort from the Mesa volleyball team, Xavier College Prep extended its winning streak to three games after defeating the Jackrabbits Wednesday night. 

Xavier went on the road and won in three sets, 25-5, 25-12, 25-12. The Gators improved to 21-4, 2-1 and maintained third place in the 6A Premier region

Mesa lost for the first time in three games, falling to 13-11, 5-2 and now sits in third place in the 6A West Valley region. 

Xavier became the first team to defeat Mesa in three sets. Mesa’s assistant coach McKay Johnson believes this was a fluke in the Jackrabbits' season and they have a better team than this game shows. 

“I know these girls have it in them, so I think we didn’t perform by the standard that we coaches think they have for themselves," Johnson said. "I think we definitely underperformed with what we usually put out as a team day-in and day-out."

Xavier scored the first six points in the first set and never looked back, eventually taking a 10-1 lead before cruising to a 25-5 win. The Gators didn’t make it much easier on the Jackrabbits in the second set, taking an early 13-6 lead. Xavier teamwork and experience showed, as long rallies turned into point after point for the Gators. Mesa was unable to stop the bleeding in the second set, losing 25-12.

Uncharacteristic errors held the Jackrabbits back from any comeback opportunity in the second set. 

“I think we struggled with our serve-receive, we kind of struggled just to communicate with each other," middle blocker Makena Rumple said. "But I think when we were able to get a good pass, we were able to get the ball way in front and find the spots that were open."

A 4-4 start in the third set was quickly erased when the Gators scored seven straight points and took a 11-4 lead. Mesa made a small push through a kill by Rumple, who followed that point with an ace. 

This was not enough, and after Mesa closed the gap in the set to 13-7, the Gators made one more push and scored six straight points and closed out the Jackrabbits on their home court. 

The Gators were able to come into Mesa High School and dominate the Jackrabbits on their home court.

Mesa junior Jonnie Cummard was not fazed by the team's underperformance against the Gators and looks forward to the next time the Jackrabbits step on the court, in a matchup against Mountain View on Oct. 17. 

“We are going to be working harder in practice and we know we can come out stronger the next time,” Cummard said. 

Mesa has five regular-season games left, four of which are against regional opponents. Tough matchups await the Jackrabbits as the race for first in the West Valley Region tightens up in the final weeks of the season.