Palo Alto High's girls volleyball team has won four straight matches and sits at 12-4 overall, 2-1 in league play, most recently sweeping Los Altos 3-0 on Sept. 22, according to MaxPreps.

The streak took root with a hard-fought comeback over rival Menlo-Atherton on Sept. 8. The Vikings dropped the first set 25-19, then won three straight to take the match 3-1 at home, pushing their record to 8-1 at the time.

Senior outside hitter Maura Hambly said the team shook off early mistakes as the match went on. "We were making a lot of unforced errors and we weren't like ourselves, but as the game progressed, we found ourselves and found our rhythm," Hambly told The Campanile, Paly's student newspaper.

Hambly powered Paly's offense in the second set with hard spikes that extended the Vikings' lead, according to Viking Sports Magazine. She also said the team's mental reset after the first set made the difference, describing how the players decided to have fun and play like themselves regardless of the outcome.

Junior libero Genevieve Lee received serves and distributed passes to Paly's setter throughout the match, according to Viking Sports Magazine. Lee, who also serves as team captain, said M-A has always been a big rival and the win was fun. She pointed to improved chemistry and hard practices as reasons the team has played well.

Dani Friend closed out a set with a spike from the outside. Anja Covert went up to block a spike from Menlo-Atherton's No. 6.

Head coach Chris Crader told The Campanile the Vikings play their best when they commit to hard, scrappy plays and stay confident. He said the team's competitive intensity has been the key ingredient.

The Bears fell to 4-8 overall and 1-2 in league play after the loss, per MaxPreps.

Paly remains unbeaten at home this season at 5-0. The Vikings travel to a tournament on Sept. 26, facing Cardinal Newman and Windsor, before a league match at Monta Vista on Sept. 29 at 6:45 p.m.