LYNNWOOD — The Lynnwood volleyball team knew a district berth was on the line in the regular-season finale against Mariner.
So the Royals made sure they took care of business.
On Senior Night Lynnwood came out firing, as the Royals defeated Mariner 25-20, 25-13, 25-21 to win the Wesco 4A contest and clinch the league’s No. 8 seed in the upcoming district tournament.
“It was our Senior Night tonight, and so our seniors really wanted to lead and go all out and leave it all out on the floor,” said Lynnwood head coach Annalise Mudaliar. “They played with a ton of heart. Knowing that district berth was on the line really pushed them to give it their all.”
Lynnwood senior libero Alex Tyler got the Royals pumped up before the game, and then had 20 digs and three aces during the contest. Mudaliar said that Tyler is usually a good motivator for the team.
“She is always really fired up and focused,” Mudaliar said. “She kind of commands that everyone else does the same.”
Jenny Martinez had 14 kills and 13 digs and Grace Douglas added 22 assists for the Royals (3-7 league, 5-9 overall), who clinched the eighth of eight seeds out of Wesco 4A.
“We squeaked in,” Mudaliar said. “I’m so proud of my girls. They fought hard.”
In the first and third sets the scoring was back and forth, Mudaliar said. Mariner led by five points at one point before Mudaliar called a timeout so that the Royals could regroup.
“I pulled them in and said, ‘Let the mistakes go. We’re past that. Let’s move forward,’” Mudaliar said.
Andrea Canizales had 21 digs and two kills and Anya Golubitskikh had 11 digs and six kills for Mariner (0-10, 2-12). Mudaliar said the Marauders’ record is not indicative of how strong a team Mariner is.
“Mariner’s record doesn’t show how good they are,” Mudaliar said. “They have a lot of pieces. They’re scrappy and they played really hard.”
At Lynnwood H.S.
Mariner201321—0
Lynnwood252525—3
Highlights—Mariner: Autumn Miner four kills, 16 digs; Andrea Canizales 21 digs, two kills; Corinne Davis 13 assists; Anya Golubitskikh six kills, 11 digs. Lynnwood: Jenny Martinez 14 kills, 13 digs; Grace Douglas 22 assists; Angela Polevoy nine kills, three aces; Kennedy McMahan eight kills, three blocks; Alex Tyler 20 digs, three aces. Records—Mariner 0-10 league, 2-12 overall. Lynnwood 3-7, 5-9.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.