Andrew Montana is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication student assigned to cover Apollo High School for AZPreps365.com.

GLENDALE -- Despite the Apollo Hawks entering the match with a better record, the West Point Dragons swept the home team Thursday night with set scores of 25-22, 25-11 and 25-13.  

Set one was the closest Apollo came to a victorious set. The Hawks started off strong with four consecutive points, but the Dragons responded with the same run.

Although it lost, Apollo was led by sophomore libero Tia Curtis in the first frame, tallying three aces.

“I thought Tia Curtis played really well,” Hawks coach Chris Biesbrouck said. “She made a couple really nice digs off good hits.”

Following a close first set, the second did not treat Apollo as kindly. The Dragons dominated this set from the start, including nine consecutive points. Of Apollo’s 11 points, only three were created by the offense instead of opposing errors. 

“Our middles and our pins have to do a better job of getting up and contesting that ball,” Biesbrouck said. “And as a result, our back row was getting worked pretty bad with free hits.” 

As dragons do, West Point’s front line dominated the aerial attack all match long. 

“We have a lot of height,” Dragons coach Monique Jones said. “It’s nice to have a good front row and relieve some pressure from the back row.”

Junior outside hitter Mata Auau led the way for West Point, tallying one ace and a game-high 10 kills.

“I just watch how they move before I make my approach,” Auau said. “Then, I know exactly where they stop at and I hit wherever they aren’t to avoid them.”

To prevent a third consecutive loss, West Point started the third and final set with a 7-1 run and ended on a 13-3 run that included eight consecutive points. The Dragons tallied 12 kills in the third set, including the game-winner by freshman libero Cassie Calderon.

“You don’t see many liberos hitting from the back row,” Jones said. “The more time she is able to play at this level, the more comfortable she gets and the more confidence she has."

Calderon was going head to head against Curtis to see who would be the superior libero. Although Calderon’s Dragons wound up victorious, Curtis got heavy praise from Biesbrouck about her unwavering tenacity.

“She’s not scared,” Biesbrouck said. “A lot of that is just a natural feeling that she has for the court. She’s such a hard worker.”

Curtis’ persistence was key to Apollo staying afloat in this match that featured three West Point players with six or more kills. In addition to Auau’s 10 kills, freshman middle blocker Chaela Curry tallied seven, and freshman right side hitter Appalina Waznis and sophomore outside hitter Jaydah Wilson recorded six. 

The stats are nice, but what Jones appreciates more about her Dragons is the team’s youth.

“There’s a lot of potential and talent that we have,” Jones said. “We just have to keep on building and trusting the process. I’m excited to see what we have right now but I’m also really excited to see what we have in the future.”

On the other hand, the Hawks have lost 12 consecutive sets.

“We have to start building a culture where we do make mistakes and we learn to let them go,” Biesbrouck said. “We’re going to work on that and, to some extent, forgiveness. Let the bad stuff go and move on.”

Apollo (4-12) will host Independence (7-17) on Monday at 6 p.m.

West Point (3-9) will host Tolleson Union (4-15) on Monday at 6 p.m.