Over the last five weeks, Highland has been unstoppable. 

The Hawks have given up just three sets in 12 matches, their last loss being a five game region nailbiter against Higley on April 8. Since then, they’ve made quick work of every team put in front of them, aside from their 3-2 win over a stubborn Knights squad the second time around.

No. 2 seed Highland (32-9-1) added No. 3 seed Casteel (30-12-1) to its list of fallen contenders on Thursday night, after a 3-2 victory in the 6A state semifinals. 

Enthusiasm from the home crowd slowly began to diminish once the Hawks were down 2-1, but the group’s motto since the beginning of the season has been centered around focus and effort. 

That mentality carried Highland the rest of the way.

The Hawks took an early seven-point lead in Game 4. Several mistakes from Casteel and a few controversial calls helped Highland maintain control, and a 25-12 win extended play to Game 5. 

The momentum stayed with the Hawks early in the fifth set, and before long they were up 8-2. Casteel senior setter Layton Bluth kept the Hawks guessing throughout the fifth, as he’d done all game long, but eventually Highland managed to close out Game 5 15-12.

Bluth was recently named to the U.S. Under-19 National Team. 

“I loved our resiliency tonight,” said Highland head coach Jeff Grover. “Sets 2 and 3 were really tough for us, and we were able to come back and play strong and step forward. Volleyball’s a tough game, there’s a lot of momentum involved, but I was really proud of our resiliency.”

A highlight for Casteel was the sensational serving of junior outside hitter Stratton Evans.

Evans totaled eight aces, which made up 38.1% of his serves and all came during the Colts’ winning sets. 

Casteel head coach Ryan Meyn walked away from Thursday night’s heartbreaker with a positive outlook on the team’s season as a whole. Meyn felt that they’d succeeded in proving their doubters wrong.

“We just had a tremendous season all the way around,” Meyn said. “We have a state championship culture. We won three already in 5A, and we came to 6A and didn’t skip a beat, so I’m really proud of them making the jump while we listened to all the naysayers that we’re counting us out.”

Highland senior setter Tony Taylor did a great job of spreading the ball around.

He favored different teammates throughout the match, leaning on the right pieces around him at the right times. Strong team chemistry made the Hawks’ rally possible.

“I’m super proud of these guys, they’ve battled all season,” Grover said. “We’ve gotten better at individual positions, but overall as a team as well. As a coach that’s exactly what you want to see. You want to be able to see the fruits of your labor, and I just got to sit back and watch it tonight.”

Now Highland will advance to the 6A state finals on Saturday, where they’ll take on the No. 1 seed Perry Pumas (40-4), who have dropped just six sets in their last 23 matches.

“We’re hoping for one more great game,” said Grover. “Perry’s a great team, so we’ve got some good competition, and we’re happy to be there.”