Highland's boys volleyball team wasn't hitting on all cylinders Wednesday night, but a team that reached last year's Division I semifinals is still pretty good when not at its best.

The Hawks were more than a match for rebuilding Corona del Sol, as Highland eased to a 25-13, 25-12, 25-17 triumph at Highland High.

The victory was the third in three power-ranking match starts for Highland, which runs out five starters (Ryan Morrison, Jared Greene, Sean Chapman, Collin Ward and Bryce Farabee) from last year's team that bowed to Brophy Prep in the semis.Highland has recorded sweeps in all of its matches. Corona del Sol dropped to 6-7 overall and is 0-3 in power-ranklng matches.

Highland came at Corona in several directions offensively, led by Morrison (12 kills, two blocks), Sean Chapman (eight kills, 3 aces), Jacob Wright (six kills) and Greene (five kills). Providing them with opportunities was setter  Ward (35 assists, two aces). Ward is averaging 13 assists per set so far.

Corona del Sol is learning on the fly this season after a healthy and productive season in 2012. Coach Brynne Evans had 10 seniors out of 13 on her roster last year, a team that was the No. 2 seed at state and lost to Highland in five sets in last year's quarters.

"It was good we played in the Chandler (Wolf Howl) tournament last week,"Evans said. "We made it to the bronze pool and won every match we played in that except the last one. (Tuesday) we played Desert Vista and it was a big jump. We lost (in three) and got down on ourselves.

"We're very young. That's one thing I love is every year or two the tables are turned with experience. It's a completely different deal for us this year, but we're making strides."

Highland won the first two sets and struggled early in the first with an equal number of hitting errors and serving errors keeping Corona close.  The second set was a little better with Highland never trailing. In the third set Corona kept pace most of the way and led, 16-12, as Highland committed all kinds of unforced errors.

Highland turned it around at that point with Chapman and Ward serving to speed along a 13-1 run to end the match. At that point Corona fell apart allowing a couple aces, three double-hit violations and a couple hitting errors.

"Overall there were a lot of kinks," Highland coach Vee Hiapo said. "They're a young group and we're heavy on seniors. We are improving, and doing it at a fast pace. Faster than last year." 

Corona was led by Braedon O'Meara with four kills and two blocks. Teammate Blake Pendleton led the Aztecs defensively with six digs.