Valentina Martinez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Corona del Sol High School for AZPreps365.com

Corona del Sol’s girls’ volleyball team earned its first sweep of the season on the road against Mountain Pointe Thursday. 

Senior pin hitter Anna Jackson and sophomore middle blocker Ella Lomigora helped generate an unstoppable offense which led to a quick three-set match (25-18, 25-19, 25-14). 

Jackson led the Aztecs with 15 kills. Jackson said her success on the court comes from being consistent and trying to minimize her own personal errors. Lomigora used quick footwork and a rapid swing to rack up 11 kills. 

Corona’s setters were able to find a rhythm with their hitters allowing the Aztecs to win every set. 

With junior star hitter Sydney Meyer out with an injury, the Aztecs ran a modified 5-1 rotation. Corona utilized two setters: freshman Julia Owens and junior Taylor Erickson. Erickson ran the offense in the front row and also was a blocker on defense. Owens and Erickson produced a combined total of 34 assists. 

“As a setter, I’m thinking, ‘Who am I going to set, that's going to get a point,’ ” Owens said. 

Owens, despite being a freshman, is able to run an offense at the varsity level. 

“She’s setting me faster sets. We’re connecting even better everytime we play,” Jackson said.

In addition to their explosive offense, the Aztecs had strong serving, earning 11 aces. The Aztecs’ defense also was a key component to their sweep. Junior libero Angie Bour led the team defensively, earning 17 digs. 

In sets one and three, the Aztecs maintained sizable leads; however, set two was a much closer game due to Mountain Pointe’s scrappy style of play. 

Coach Ben Maxfield explained that the team had lost its sense of urgency on the court, which led to a closer game in the second set.

Corona improved its record to 4-1. Mountain Pointe fell to a 1-5 record, extending its losing streak to four games.

The Aztecs will face Liberty in a non-conference match on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at home. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.