Prep volleyball: Edmonds-Woodway 3, Oak Harbor 2

Published 10:40 pm Thursday, October 9, 2014

EDMONDS — Amanda Paavola registered 25 kills, including nine out of nine attempts in the second set, as Edmonds-Woodway fought past Oak Harbor in a five-set thriller in Wesco 3A action on Thursday night.

Paavola came up big for the Warriors (5-1, 6-2) in the second set, putting away all of her swings to help Edmonds-Woodway bounce back from a first-set defeat against the Wildcats (5-2, 5-4).

“She was a key component to this match for us,” Edmonds-Woodway coach Nicole Bordeaux said. “She’s just so aggressive and has a natural intensity. She always wants the ball and she just couldn’t be stopped tonight.”

The Warriors took a 2-1 advantage in the match, but Oak Harbor won the fourth set 30-28 to force a fifth and final set.

“I thought we played so great in the fourth set that I didn’t really have much feedback to give them,” Bordeaux said. “We just kept up the fire and intensity.”

The Warriors stormed to a 15-4 victory in the final set and took the match.

Claire Anderson led Oak Harbor with 21 kills, and Kelly Gootee dished out 44 assists for Edmonds-Woodway.

“This win was a huge confidence booster for us,” Bordeaux said. “We finally recognized what we are capable of and how well we can play.”

At Edmonds-Woodway H.S.

Oak Harbor251915304—2

Edmonds-Woodway2125252815—3

Highlights—Oak Harbor: Claire Anderson 21 kills, 15 digs; Hailey Beecher 18 assists. Edmonds-Woodway: Kelly Gootee 44 assists, Amanda Paavola 25 kills, eight digs, two aces. Maddie Judd three assists, three kills, two blocks. Records—Oak Harbor 5-2 league, 5-4 overall. Edmonds-Woodway 5-1, 6-2.