Corona del Sol volleyball made its way to the school's 12th state championship match in its history on Thursday night and first since 2018. The top-seeded Aztecs defeated #4 Perry rallying from a first-set loss for a 19-25, 25-22, 28-26, 25-22 triumph at Corona del Sol High School.

Corona's opponent in Saturday's 7 p.m. final at Veterans Memorial Coliseum is two-time defending champ and #2 Hamilton. Hamilton advanced dispatching #6 Liberty in four sets. Scores were 25-16, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22.

It was business as usual for Corona (38-5) highlighted by its strong and varied attack. Setter Julia Owens totaled 40 assists with plenty of options. Four players collected double-figure totals in kills led by senior outside Kierstyn Barton (20 kills), sophomore outside Alyssa Aguayo (15 kills), senior middle Ella Lomigora (11 kills) and junior outside Maggie Beauer (10 kills). Setter Julia Owens totaled 40 assists. Beauer also led the defensive effort with 26 digs and freshman libero Erin Clark checked in with 18 digs. Perry (33-9) was led by senior outside Avery Burks (20 kills) and fellow senior outside Amy Wahlin with 10 kills.

Perry led start to finish in the first set leaving host Corona to attempt to get cooking. The Aztecs did just that. They amassed a 16-8 lead in the second only to have to put down a spirited Pumas rally. Perry pecked away and tied Corona at 21 thanks to an ace by Kate Wagner. The set was tied one more time (22-all), but Corona reeled off the final three points all thanks to Perry - two attack errors and a double-hit violation.

The third set was controlled most of the way by Perry. The Pumas largest lead was 20-15 after a tip kill by Wahlin. Perry's lead melted to 22-21 and the teams traded timeouts with Corona in front, 24-23. There were three more ties - the final one 26-all. A kill by Beauer and block by Aguayo clinched the set for Corona.

Corona controlled the fourth set and appeared ready to handily put Perry away. Corona fashioned a 17-9 lead forcing Perry to call time. Perry never led although it didn't bow out without some fight. The Pumas forged two ties 19-all and 20-all. Corona used kills from Barton, Lomigora, Beauer and Aguayo to nab the set and match. Aguayo's 15th kill ended the match.