Digging Out of Hole, Highland Beats Canyon

Highland High was exactly where it wanted to be.

Trailing by eight points.

Proving itself comfortable while coming from behind, Highland won the pivotal third game en route to a 15-11, 11-15, 15-13, 15-5 victory over Canyon in a nonleague boys’ volleyball match Thursday night at Canyon.

Jon Moser had 24 kills and three other players each had 12 for the Bulldogs, who went on a 10-2 third-game run with at least one kill from six players, proving not only are they talented, they are balanced.

Highland trailed, 10-2, before coming back.

“I’m extremely fortunate,” said first-year Coach Tom Jones. “We’re very deep. Our veterans really held the team up.”

Outside hitter Gideon Gibson of Canyon delivered 31 kills and was only stopped briefly by the referees, who called time out in the second game when they realized Gibson had a pierced tongue. The jewelry was removed and play resumed.

Highland, ranked No. 2 in the region by The Times, had more options than No. 6 Canyon (2-1).

Mike Kennedy and Trent Sorensen, 6-foot-7 middle blockers, each had 12 kills and combined for nine blocks for Highland (2-0).

“They’re trees,” said Moser, well aware that their presence helps him. “It’s great to have the opposing team close in on them because it opens it up for our hitters.”

Canyon nearly gave away a similar lead in the second game, streaking to a 13-2 edge before Highland sliced it to 13-11. The Cowboys regrouped to tie the match, but did not rally after losing another substantial lead in the next game.