Seven state titles is enough of a résumé for opponents to take notice. Phoenix Xavier just added a little emphasis, winning the prestigious Westwood Tournament of Champions on Saturday.

SLIDESHOW: Westwood volleyball tournament

Coming off a 2007 5A-I state title, the Gators won the first big tournament of the 2008 season, defeating Tempe Corona del Sol 2-0 in the 32-team event played Friday and Saturday.

It took Xavier three sets to beat the Aztecs in pool play earlier in the day, 24-26, 25-20, 15-13. The championship match was very competitive but not as close as the earlier meeting, 25-20, 25-21.

“It’s a good checkpoint to measure where we’re at,” said Xavier coach Tim McHale, whose club went 3-0 in pool play, then beat Glendale Mountain Ridge and Scottsdale Desert Mountain in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, of the gold division.

“We’ve been setting goals for ourselves throughout the year and this was one of them,” said Xavier senior middle Alexis Pinson, who had six kills and six blocks in the final. “It’s not our final goal. It felt good to win and set a standard for ourselves.”

With the score tied 9-9, three straight points, including one coming on a Pinson block, gave Xavier command of the opening set. She had another block to close out the set.

It didn’t take long for the Gators to control the second set. They scored the first seven points and nine of the first 10. It was controlling it late that gave them problems.

Corona rallied behind the attack of junior outside hitter Bethany Jorgensen, who led all hitters with 16 kills. A Jorgensen spike got the Aztecs to within 23-20, but a service error and a kill from Xavier junior Julia Bonadio finished the match.

“You can’t get in a hole and you can’t get in a hole against Xavier,” said Corona del Sol coach Ben Maxfield. “Our passing broke down, but they fought back and I was pleased. There were too many unforced errors.

“Overall for the tournament I was very pleased.”

The Aztecs got 11 digs from senior libero Lexie Schroeder. Junior outside hitter Cassie Ronda had five blocks.

Xavier senior middle Brianna DeBrock added six kills and junior setter Stephanie Preach finished with 23 assists and three blocks.

“We’ve got some other tests out there waiting for us,” added McHale, whose team has a challenging match Tuesday at Mesa Mountain View. “Right now, winning, we’re very happy. It’s always a good feeling.”

Corona had its work cut out to make the finals. It took three sets to eliminate Chandler Seton Catholic, 25-22, 22-25, 15-12 in a semifinal match.

The Aztecs beat Chandler Hamilton in the quarterfinals.