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

A strong effort by the Mesa girls volleyball team helped it defeat Westwood Thursday for the second time this season.

The Jackrabbits held their own on their home court, defeating the Warriors in three sets, 29-27, 25-19, 25-19. Mesa improved to 15-12, 6-3 and stayed in  second place in the 6A East Valley Region.

Westwood lost for the third time in as many games and the Warriors' road dominance this season was stopped by the Jackrabbits. They fell to 14-13, 4-4, but were able to hang on to third place in the 6A East Valley Region.

Through 27 games this season, the Warriors have only lost two matches in three sets. Both losses came against the Jackrabbits.

The Jackrabbits looked dominant throughout the match as the team was driven by captain Jonnie Cummard.

“When Jonnie Cummard is on, we are a team that can’t be stopped,” assistant coach McKay Johnson said. “Nights like tonight's performance are definitely going to carry us to do well into states this year.”

The first set was back and forth all the way, through. Westwood grabbed an early 9-4 lead, but Mesa fought back and regained a 19-17 lead. The thrilling set was finished off by Jonnie Cummard’s sixth kill of the set and helped the Jackrabbits take Set 1, 29-27.

he second set was just as exciting as the first. Mesa was able to jump out to a 5-2 lead and continued its momentum throughout the set.

After back-to-back kills by Jonnie Cummard, the Jackrabbits extended their lead to 14-9. Mesa continued its strong performance in the second set and after Sally Cummard scored an ace, the Jackrabbits saw their lead grow to 22-17.

Jonnie Cummard’s great performance continued as she recorded another four kills in the second set and the Jackrabbits were able to take Set 2, 25-19.

“We have been executing well in practice to go after every ball,” Jonnie Cummard said. “We hope to continue this momentum in practice to carry over to our next game.”

Throughout the third set the crowd became a factor and rattled the Warriors. The Jackrabbits took a 5-1 lead in the third set after Jonnie Cummard was able to score back-to-back aces.

The Warriors went on a little run themselves and were able to take an 11-10 lead, but it didn’t last for long. Three straight aces helped the Jackrabbits dismantle the Warriors as their 5-point run was finished off by two straight kills by Jonnie Cummard.

Sally Cummard was able to extend the Jackrabbits’ lead to 20-12 after back-to-back aces. The Jackrabbits went on to win the third set 25-19.

Mesa snapped a two-game losing streak and looked dominant. The Jackrabbits’ next matchup is against Skyline, another home game for Mesa.

With only three games left on the regular-season schedule, Mesa hopes to keep the momentum going and secure another win at home.

“We need to keep communicating with everyone and continue to stay loud,” middle blocker Pulehehua Laikona said. “No matter what it is, cheering after any point or anything, we need to continue this momentum.”