UPDATE: Added information for the Montesano versus Black Hills volleyball game.
The Aberdeen Bobcats volleyball program, once the basement-dwelling doormat of the 2A Evergreen League, took the first step toward competitive legitimacy with a straight-set, season-opening victory over the Elma Eagles on Wednesday in Aberdeen.
Aberdeen won 25-16, 25-13 and 25-14.
The Bobcats (1-0 overall) got off to a hot start in the first set, opening up a 10-4 lead and holding an 8-10 point advantage throughout the remainder of the set.
Aberdeen continued to look sharp in the second set, opening up a 6-1 lead behind two aces from junior defensive specialist Zoe Vessey and a putback stuff from junior middle blocker Lilly Camp.
Playing in its second game in as many days, Elma (0-2) found its footing and battled back to trim the deficit to 14-10 after a successful block from senior middle hitter Callie Galligan.
But the Bobcats, which had a tendency to fold when challenged in seasons past, did no such thing on Wednesday, embarking on an 8-1 run behind the play of its frontline of Camp, senior outside hitter Annika Hollingsworth and junior middle blocker Alviyah Lamont, to take a 22-11 lead before closing out the set.
Elma opened up its largest lead of the contest early in the third set, taking a 3-0 lead on two consecutive aces from senior Aubrey Moore followed by a block from Galligan.
RYAN SPARKS / THE DAILY WORLD Elma middle blocker Callie Galligan (13) makes a play on the ball during a 3-0 loss to Aberdeen on Wednesday at Sam Benn Gym in Aberdeen.
But the Bobcats responded with three straight points, tying the game on an ace from senior setter Cameryn Micheau and took the lead for good at 5-4 on another putback from Camp.
Elma kept the set close, never letting the score get more than five points away until passing and hitting errors started to pile up late in the game.
Another Camp kill off a Micheau assist made it an 18-13 score and Aberdeen pushed the lead to seven after two straight Elma hitting errors.
Two consecutive Elma shots sailed wide for the final two Bobcats points of the match as Aberdeen secured the straight-set victory.
“We were ready,” Bobcats head coach Desiree Glanz said. “We have a lot of seasoned players that are ready to play. … We’re trying to keep our energy up and trying to remain focused mentally.”
Aberdeen tallied 30 kills as a team, led by Camp (12 kills, 3 blocks) and Hollingsworth (7 kills, 6 digs) and 13 aces, led by senior Claire Mottinger with four.
“I think the girls just came out really confident and were ready. They were super excited about this season,” Glanz said. “I didn’t see any jitters tonight.”
Aberdeen’s offensive success was due in large part by the play of Micheau, who had a game-high 24 assists from her setter position and distributed the ball effectively to a host of Bobcats hitters.
Aberdeen senior setter Cameryn Micheau
“I definitely saw leadership, which is something we’ve been working on with her,” Glanz said of Micheau’s game on Wednesday. “That was our goal. Personally for her too, she wants to come out and be a leader on the court. It’s her senior year and I think she’s giving it her all. She was amazing tonight.”
Aberdeen hosts Tenino in a non-conference game at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Elma is scheduled to host North Mason at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Elma 16 13 14 – 0
Aberdeen 25 25 25 – 3
Leading players: Aberdeen – Micheau (24 assists, kill, 8 digs); Mottinger (4 kills, 4 aces, 5 digs); Camp (12 kills, 3 blocks); Hollingsworth (7 kills, 6 digs); Lamont (4 kills); Strickland (2 kills); Knutson (6 digs, 2 aces).
Hoquiam 3, Rochester 0
What a difference a day makes for the Hoquiam Grizzlies.
Hoquiam cut down on unforced errors and played a better brand of volleyball en route to a straight-set victory over the Rochester Warriors on Wednesday at Hoquiam Square Garden.
Hoquiam won by scores of 25-16, 25-6 and 25-15.
The Grizzlies (2-0), which defeated Toledo 3-1 the evening before, were led by Katlyn Brodhead (23 assists, 12 digs), Faith Prosch (22-24 service, 6 aces, 15 digs), Kristina Goulet (7 kills, 5 solo blocks), Lexi LaBounty (15-15 service, 18 digs) and Leighann Bratt (10 kills, 9 digs).
“Our movement was a lot better with transitions and a big contributor to our success tonight was only missing four serves,” Grizzlies head coach Heather Bozich said.
Hoquiam will play its third game in three days when it takes on Forks at 7:15 p.m. Friday at Forks High School.
Rochester 16 6 15 – 0
Hoquiam 25 25 25 – 3
Leading players: Brodhead (23 assists, 12 digs), Prosch (22-24 service, 6 aces, 15 digs), Goulet (7 kills, 5 solo blocks), LaBounty (15-15 service, 18 digs), Bratt (10 kills, 9 digs).
Black Hills 3, Montesano 0
Montesano experienced some growing pains in its first game of the season, falling to Black Hills in straight sets on Wednesday at Montesano High School.
The Bulldogs (0-1), a young team with just one senior on the roster, lost 25-18, 25-14 and 25-22.
“Even though we did not get the win, we will walk away from our first match of the year with several positives and a good list of thing to work on,” said Bulldogs head coach Cindy Wecker, who took over for Pat Pace this season. “As a whole I think the girls are learning to work well together and with the consistence of playing next to each other I expect to see great progress. We have got to clean up the serving. We had eight total missed serves over the three sets and that just can’t happen.”
Monte was led by Kalia Hatton with eight kills.
Liv Robinson and Kylee Wisdom added four kills apiece while setter Karissa Otterstetter had 18 assists and nine digs to lead the Bulldogs.
Monte hosts King’s Way Christian at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Black Hills 25 25 25 – 3
Montesano 18 14 22 – 0
Leading players: Montesano – Otterstetter (18 assts., 9 digs, 3 kills); Hatton (8 kills); Wisdom (4 kills, 8 digs); Robinson (4 kills); Warme (8 digs).
