VOLLEYBALL -- DV stretched to limit by Gilbert, joins MP in semifinals

Here we go again. Last year, Phoenix Desert Vista got on a roll and won the 4A/5A-I boys volleyball title as a seventh seed.

This year, the Thunder (15-4) entered the tournament as a No. 6 seed. But that didn't stop them against one of the three teams that went undefeated during the regular season.

On the road, Desert Vista battled back from a 2-1 deficit and outlasted third-seeded Gilbert 19-25, 25-16, 12-25, 25-18, 15-9 in the quarterfinals of the Division I state tournament Thursday.

Now their neighborhood nemesis looms.

"Probably (Phoenix) Mountain Pointe standing in our way," Thunder coach Ryan Tolman said. "Last year, we were kind of fortunate that they fell apart before they saw us, so we'll see. But (we're) having fun, playing well, that's usually a good formula for us."

The Thunder-Pride semifinal is at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Marana Mountain View. The championship match is scheduled for 7 p.m.

"Down 2-1 we just played with a real good sense of urgency and they pulled through," Tolman said.

Michael Proctor, who already has state volleyball and basketball titles under his belt, got six kills in the final game to help Desert Vista pull away.

"I think it came down to serving," Proctor said.

The Tigers (18-1) seemed on a roll after taking the 2-1 lead, scoring the last six points in a 25-12 win.

But the Thunder jumped on the Tigers in the fourth game, running out to leads of 11-2 and 23-13 to seize momentum.