Sterling volleyball has been solid throughout the 2021 fall season, but that was to be expected of last year's Class 3A state runner-up.

Sydney Henry (2) hits the ball toward the net in Sterling's match against Eaton Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (Joe Skerjanec/OTSPORTSCHEK)

Last Thursday, however, the Tigers were gifted the chance for revenge over defending state champion Eaton, who sat at No. 6 in the CHSAANow.com coaches poll. Sterling, by comparison, was ranked No. 8.

The Tigers didn't waste their opportunity.

In a rematch of last year's state title game, Sterling and Eaton engaged in a battle that saw close scores and not-so-close scores. This go-round, the Tigers came out on top of the Fightin' Reds in a 3-2 final. The last time they met, during the state title match, Eaton won by a 3-1 score.

This time, the Tigers were more primed for the challenge, although it didn't look like it at first. Eaton jumped out to a large lead that the Tigers ultimately couldn't overcome in the first set as the Fightin' Reds ran away from set one with a 25-12 score.

Sterling, however, wasn't quite comfortable with that. It claimed the next set by a 25-19 decision before, once again, Eaton stepped it up. The Fightin' Reds took the third frame at 25-9, and the Tigers looked to have their backs up against the wall.

But they fought back.

Throughout the final two frames, the Tigers outplayed the Fightin' Reds in every facet of the game as they went on to steal victory with 25-13 and 15-6 finals.

Kashley Sheets (20) hits the volleyball for Sterling in their 3-2 victory over Eaton Sept. 23, 2021. (Joe Skerjanec/OTSPORTSCHEK)

Throughout the campaign, the Tigers relied on the attacking skills of senior Sydney Henry and senior Kaylee Johnson, who succeeded with 14 kills apiece. Emerie Rios, another senior, added nine more. Henry and freshman Shayleigh Ulrich aided the most in those efforts with 17 and 20 assists, respectively, as Rios took charge of the back row defense with 17 digs. Henry and Johnson added 15 more digs each.

Sterling fell to 9-3 Tuesday after a road loss to Platte Valley, but will have some time to get back on track before their next match, which will be against University on Oct. 7.