by Chris Pfaff, Xavier Sportswriter

Last night, #3 Xavier Beach Volleyball traveled to Queen Creek’s Casteel High School to play a State Semifinal match against #2 Notre Dame Prep, a team they had not played yet this season. It turned out to be worth the trip despite having to battle through two nail-biter scenarios.

The Fives Pair, Leighton Fig and Ellery Kerrigan, began the evening on a happy note with a 2-0 (21-18, 21-17) victory over Notre Dame Prep’s Miller and Sharp. XAVIER 1-0.

After the Fours Pair (London Johnson and Delaney McHale) and Threes Pair (Elle Freeland and Gracie Graf) both lose 0-2, the team score now stands at 1-2. Xavier has to win the two remaining matches in order to advance to the Final. Officially,the Gators have dug themselves in a hole.

The nail biting begins.

The Twos, Kylie Barr and Emma Robescu, relieve some of the tension by easily defeating Reynolds / Cardoza from Notre Dame: 2-0 (21-4, 21-16). The team score is tied 2-2.

The nail biting subsides.

The Ones (Holly Matchinsky / Kate MacDonald) take the court to save the day. They’ve only lost one match all season. What could go wrong?

Holly and Kate lose the first set 19-21. The nail biting revived.

One match away from elimination becomes one set away from elimination. Like a baseball or softball team down to its last inning . . . then its last out . . . then its last strike.

Fortunately, Holly and Kate win 21-18 and 15-11. And having dug themselves out the hole, the Gators simultaneously accept their ticket to the State Final and breathe a sigh of relief.

The #3 Xavier Gators play the #1 Sandra Day O’Connor Eagles in the State Championship Final tomorrow night (4/30) at 6:30 PM on the courts of Casteel High School.

Go Gators!