An old nemesis for Hamilton's girls volleyball team -- Xavier Prep -- payed a visit  Wednesday night and for the second time this season the host Huskies managed to turn the Gators away. The same Gator program, which knocked Hamilton out of the playoffs in 2009 and rallied in stunning fashion to wrest away the 2010 state title in five sets.

But this was Hamilton's night. After dropping the opening set, the Huskies settled in for a five-set match and was the stronger club in the finale in posting a 24-26, 25-9, 25-23, 21-25,15-8 triumph in a battle of perennial Division I title contenders.

Hamilton girls volleyball coach Sharon Vanis was concerned about going a fifth set, but that was eased by how her team finished up the fourth set.

"We haven't had many matches that have gone to four or five sets this year," Vanis said of her team which improved to 16-1 overall and 9-0 in seeding matches. I was very pleased how we battled back in the fourth set. We were able to close the gap even though we lost the set."

Hamilton had trailed 10-2 and 19-11 and Vanis was concerned Xavier might have overwhelming momentum in a fifth set if the Gators won it with ease. Her concern was vanquished quickly in the deciding set.

Hamilton bolted to an 8-4 lead in the finale, prompting Xavier coach Tim McHale to call a timeout. A couple big plays by junior middle Tiana Matthews led to Xavier talking things over.

Matthews, who had had a difficult time in blocking Xavier middle Megan O'Sullivan in the match, had a kill and block to take the Huskies from a 6-4 lead to 8-4. The rest of the way it was Hamilton's attack leader -- Brittany Thomas-- whot made sure the Huskies garnered the W. Thomas, a senior middle, capped off a 23-kill match witth four kills after her team led 8-4. Hamilton's other offensive standout was senior outside Lauren Jacobsen, who checked in with 16 kills.

Hamilton defeated Xavier nearly three weeks ago in the Tournament of Champions at Westwood High. That match went three games (the format ininvitational  tournaments). But Wednesday's win was significant in it marked the first time Hamilton has beaten Xavier on its home floor -- a nice accomplishment for Vanis' six seniors.

Hamilton setter Roxanne Lake collected 43 assists. Defensively Thomas had 19 digs and libero Alexa Saba came up with 16.

Xavier saw its record drop to 16-7 overall and 6-2 in seeding games. There is no shame in the Gators' seeding-game defeats -- one to Hamilton and one to Horizon who have one loss all season between them.

"We're a young team in key positions and that youth comes out at times," McHale said. "We played badly in the second game, but got our composure back in Games three and four. We just couldn't carry it over to the last game."

Xavier's offensive leaders were junior outside Mia Teilborg (18 kills), freshman outside Khalia Lanier (16 kills) and O'Sullivan (13 kills). Senior libero Amanda Benson had 29 digs and five aces.