Montesano picked up an important league victory on Tuesday, defeating Elma in straight sets at Elma High School.
The Bulldogs (6-3 overall, 3-0 1A Evergreen) got off to a hot start, jumping out to a 7-0 lead behind the service of senior Olivia Young and took advantage of Elma miscues en route to a 25-4 victory in the first game.
Monte continued its momentum in the second set, winning the first five points before Elma (3-4, 2-1) got off the mat and rallied to cut the Monte lead to 11-9.
Behind the more energetic play of its frontline and better ball movement, the Eagles rallied to tie the game at 15-all.
But Monte had an answer. The Bulldogs opened up a 22-16 advantage behind Young’s strong service, which consistently took the Eagles out of their offensive game plan.
Elma rallied again, cutting the Monte advantage to 22-20 on a kill from sophomore Aubrey Moore, but Monte scored the next three points — winning the set on a hard kill from senior outside hitter Landree Dohrmann — to take a 2-0 lead.
In the third set, Elma refused to fold, battling the Bulldogs throughout the game. But Monte took the set 25-19 and the match 3-0.
“It was one of the best starts for the girls this season,” Monte head coach Pat Pace said. “In the first set, the passes were on the money and our setters were doing a great job of helping the front row attack the ball and keep Elma off-balance.”
Young had five aces to lead Monte.
Junior setter McKynnlie Dalan had five kills with Dohrmann contributing 13 digs for the Bulldogs.
“It was a tough match for us tonight,” Elma head coach Kendra Dunn said, citing Moore’s play as being noteworthy on Tuesday. “We had a tough time controlling the ball. Montesano came out strong and played well.”
RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Elma’s Aubrey Moore (5) attempts a kill while being defended by Montesano’s Ashlyn Devereaux during Monte’s straight-set victory on Tuesday in Elma.
Montesano’s C-team won in two sets with Elma winning the junior varsity game, also in two sets.
Montesano 25 25 25 — 3
Elma 4 20 19 — 0
Raymond 3, South Bend 0
Raymond’s dominant run continues.
The Seagulls won in straight sets for the eighth time this season, defeating rival South Bend on Tuesday at South Bend High School.
Raymond (7-0, 5-0 2B Pacific) won 25-14, 25-14 and 25-20 and are now on a 15-match winning streak dating back to last season.
Sophomore libero Kyndal Koski led Raymond’s defense with 23 digs to go along with a pair of aces.
Senior outside hitter Kyra Gardner led the offensive attack with 12 kills, followed by Grace Busenius (5 kills, 4 blocks) and reigning league MVP Sidney Swogger (4 kills).
“We did a good job of keeping our heads in the game,” Raymond head coach Bob Swogger said. “We also did a good job of serving tough and keeping South Bend out of system. Our offense also attacked the ball well. Overall, we had a good night and took care of business.”
Despite the loss, South Bend head coach Kelsey Staats was pleased with her team’s performance.
“Although we had a slow start, by set three we had reached a new level of play that we hadn’t seen yet this season and that’s really promising,” Staats said.
South Bend (4-4, 4-2) was led by senior outside hitter Hannah Jewell (100% service, 15 digs), junior Raydynn Morley (100% service) and Dayna Estle (6 kills).
Raymond 25 25 25 — 3
South Bend 14 14 20 — 0
Hoquiam 3, Eatonville 0
After having last played a game more than a month ago, the Hoquiam Grizzlies made a triumphant return to the court on Tuesday, defeating the Eatonville Cruisers in straight sets at Eatonville High School.
Though they had to shake off some rust, the Grizzlies (2-1, 1-0 1A Evergreen) rebounded from a slow start to pick up a 25-16, 25-9 and 25-7 victory.
“We started out pretty rough, but that was to be expected after two weeks off,” Hoquiam head coach Heather Bozich said. “Credit to Eatonville for being scrappy and passing well.”
Hoquiam got into a rhythm in the second set behind the serving prowess of Kristina Goulet, who had four aces in a seven-point streak and ended the match going 14-for-14 from the service line with five aces.
Kamryn Krohn also went 14-for-14 from the line with five aces, 18 digs and six kills for the Grizzlies.
Reagan McElliott (18 digs), Ella Folkers (27 assists), Faith Prosch (7 kills) and Chloe Kennedy (8 kills, 3 solo blocks) also had notable performances for Hoquiam.
“Overall, I was proud of our team for overcoming some nerves and putting together a solid performance,” Bozich said.
Hoquiam 25 25 25 — 3
Eatonville 16 9 7 — 0
Northwest Christian 3, Ocosta 0
Ocosta had trouble finding its game in a 3-0 loss to Northwest Christian on Tuesday in Lacey.
The Wildcats (2-4, 2B Pacific) lost 25-16, 25-22 and 25-22.
“Our defense struggled to find our footing tonight,” Ocosta head coach Erin Snider said. “That made it hard for our offense to get it going.”
Brynn Rasmus led Ocosta with 15 assists with Maddie Cuzdey recording a team-high six digs.
Alexia Bradley (7 kills) and Annika Hollingsworth (6 kills) led the Wildcats on offense.
Ocosta 16 22 22 — 0
Northwest Christian 25 25 25 — 3
Other scores
Tumwater 3, Aberdeen 0
