Addison Scott is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover American Leadership Academy Gilbert-North for AZPreps365.com

CHANDLER, Ariz. - American Leadership Academy Gilbert-North swept Arizona College Prep in three sets to secure its first win of the regular season on the road (25-18, 26-24, 25-19).

“Playing and winning our first regular season game is a huge first step forward towards state,” senior outside hitter Tate Willis said. 

ALA Gilbert-North (1-0) came into the match ready to dominate as the squad had not won against AZ College Prep (0-1) since April 2024. The Eagles were determined to take the win on the Knights home court Tuesday. 

ALA Gilbert-North took control over the first set right away. The backrow defense picked up everything the Knights threw at them, making it difficult for them to score. 

“Beating them 3-0 felt great,” senior middle blocker Dallin Seegmiller said. “Last season we lost 3-1 to them. We have played against the same guys our whole high school career so it’s just great to beat them on their home court.”

In the second set, things were not as easy for the Eagles as the first. 

The Knights put up great offense from their pin hitters, making it a challenge for the back row to make any plays. AZ College Prep kept ALA Gilbert-North at a six-point difference for most of the match. 

However, the momentum on the Eagles court shifted once junior setter Gunner Martin blocked two aggressive swings back-to-back from the other side of the court, stopping the Knights immediately. 

Things started heating up on both sides of the gymnasium. The Eagles bench made sure to keep high energy and cheer as a group throughout the whole match.

Down to the last few points in the second set, the Knights began to make mistakes, giving the Eagles an advantage. 

Martin ended the set 26-24 with a massive block to prevent the Eagles from taking the match into four sets. 

In the last set, sophomore opposite hitter Landon Watts took control for the team. He plays for both junior varsity and varsity.

Watts put up eight total kills in the third set alone. He finished the night hitting at a .800 hitting percentage. 

 “It’s really impressive what he’s done,” Willis said. “To see him step up today and get a bunch of kills like that is really awesome.” 

Martin was able to rely on Watts as a major pin hitter during the last set. 

“From a setter's perspective it’s nice to have someone you can chuck the ball to if you’re out of system,” Martin said. “He was hitting so well tonight, I told coach ‘I’m setting him every time until they stop him.’”

New head coach, Troy Kates, took on his first series of games with the Eagles in the Las Vegas Invitational Feb. 27-28. They ended in 3rd place going 6-1 in the whole tournament.

“They have a brotherhood,” Kates said. “When I came in they were all super close already and for me, as a head coach, that was intimidating. I’m very excited to come in and see them continue to grow together.”