There are a lot of Gilbert volleyball seniors who haven't played for a state title in their careers. They've seen or been on Tigers teams who have gotten close recently. They know time is short.

Sofive seniors took care to play lights out early and well enough late to keep a state-title match within striking distance.

With senior outside hitter Macey Gardner leading the way, No. 3 seed Gilbert blew past Hamilton the first two games and rallied at crunch time in Game 4 to record a 25-14, 25-14, 24-26, 25-22 victory over No. 6 seed Hamilton in a Division I  quarterfinal at Gilbert High

Gilbert (33-10) has more work to do as they take on four-time defending champion Xavier in a 2 p.m. semifinal at Antelope Gym on the campus of Grand Canyon University. Xavier, the No. 2 seed, took care of No. 7 Rincon in three games. Hamilton, last year's big-school runner-up, finished 32-9.

"At the beginning of the year we talked about playing for our seniors," junior hitter Penina Snuka said. "The last few years(four)  it's ended in the semifinals. We want to win for Macey and the rest of  our seniors."

Gardner gave a sterling performance in her final home game. She recorded 27 kills and was ferocious at the net attacking and blocking and steady in the back row. Snuka wasn't bad, either. She chipped in with 22 kills, including three kills for the Tigers final three points to close out the match.

"When the two best players in the gym play like the two best players, we're tough to beat," Gilbert coach Joe Hesse said, referring to Gardner and Snuka.

Gilbert stunned a full house and very energetic crowd with its dominance  the first two games. The Tigers seemingly were on their way to sweep with a 15-8 lead in Game 3, but Hamilton gradually started making waves. Getting a better block and passing better,  the Huskies took only their third lead all match at 23-22. After a Gardner block tied the game at 24, Hamilton's Brittany Thomas came up with back-to-back kills to force another game. Thomas and teammate Lauren Jacobsen led Hamilton with 11 kills each.

"They just blew us out the first two games," Hamilton coach Sharon Vanis said. "We were out of system both games, and didn't pass well. We brought in some players to help out Alexa (Saba) who has a hip flexor. They picked it up, and our game picked up. I can't give our kids enough credit for coming back."

Hamilton carried momentum to Game 4 and led 13-8 at one point. Four mis serves after Gilbert pulled within 16-14 hurt the Tigerts comeback bid. But Snuka (five kills) and Gardner (four kills and a block) were rock solid down the stretch to close out the match. Senior setters Emily Masterson (31 assists) and Sarah Beene (23 assists) were adept by feeding their hitters consistently all night.