Gilbert  High will have its work cut out for it to repeat as Division I girls volleyball champion. Not as stout as more experienced Horizon, Hamilton and Xavier look on paper.

With essentially just one starter back from last year and losing standouts Macey Gardner to graduation and Penina Snuka to a move out of state, the Tigers are taking 2012 a match at a time. And so far it's working.

On Wednesday night coach Joe Hesse watched his team advance to 2-0 with a 25-9, 25-13, 25-21 triumph over rival Highland at Gilbert.

Gilbert, which took down a tough, young opponent in competitive Basha on Tuesday night  in four sets to open the season, was a little sharper in Match No. 2 in knocking off Highland for the 11th time in a row since 2008.

"We don't have that wow kid this year," Hesse said referring to Gardner and Snuka. "But maybe by the end of the year we can be a wow team."

Hesse likes the depth the Tigers possess. Freshman outside hitter Makenna Martin led Gilbert with nine kills and lone returning starter and senior middle Kayla Lederer added eight. Tatum Lostumo and Sammi Brozac shared setting honors with 15 and 17 assists, respectively. Junior Kaylee Panepinto, the smallest player on the floor, contributed 11 digs.

"I think we controlled the ball better tonight," Hesse said. "It will be a little different volleyball here this year. We'll have a lot of girls taking swings. We need to get the ball in the middle because that's where our bread and butter is."

Highland was at a decided disadvantage on a couple fronts Wednesday night. The Hawks were playing their season opener while most teams began the season Tuesday. Then having to face the defending champs on their boisterous floor -- it wasn't  the opponent or venue most would crave out of the gate.

"I wish we would have had one (match) yesterday," Highland assistant coach Tanner Wade said. "We're young, trying to find our way with just a couple of seniors. We came out slow, but we gradually refocused and had some girls step up. We're a better passing team than we showed. They came out and served us off the court."

Five of Gilbert's aces came in the first set. Add in a double-digit total of  Highland hitting and passing errors in that set and the 25-9 result was no shock. Highland's top player and co-captain is Baylee Little. With not much size other than Little, Hesse said the Tigerswere able to  focus on Little.

"Bailey is good, and we knew to key on her," Hesse said. "She started slow, but she came on as the match went on."

Highand made the second and third sets much more competitive. The Hawks trailed just 15-13 in the second set, but succumbed to 10 straight points served by Brozac. Lederer had three kills in that 10-0 run.

The final set was even tighter. Gilbert had a 13-5 lead early, on to see Highland rally and tie the match at 18 on a klll by Little. A kill by Martin and ace by Kameryn Hill helped Gilbert take command anc close out the visitors.