Prep volleyball: Cedarcrest ekes out five-set victory over 2A conference rival

DUVALL — Five games. Four of them determined by fewer than three points. When it comes to volleyball it doesn’t get much closer than that.

The Cedarcrest Red Wolves pulled out an intense 25-22, 23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 16-14 victory, outlasting the South Whidbey Falcons in a Cascade Conference match played at Cedarcrest High School Tuesday night. With the victory the Red Wolves (6-2 in league, 7-2 overall) cushioned themselves from the Falcons in the conference standings and more importantly the 2A standings.

Cedarcrest is now two games ahead of South Whidbey (4-4, 4-4) in the standings. The top three 2A teams advance to the district playoffs. Archbishop Murphy currently leads all Cascade Conference 2A schools with a 7-1 record. King’s, a 1A school, leads the conference with a 9-0 record.

“We limited our unforced errors down the stretch. Our defense picked up and we began to play scrappy on defense in the fourth and fifth games. Both teams were battling it out,” Cedarcrest head coach Christine Hillestad said.

Senior’s Shannon Bailey (16 kills) and Sara Houser (14 kills, 12 digs) led the Red Wolves. Sophomore setter Lindsey Smith added five aces and 49 assists and sophomore RaeLea Davidson contributed three aces, eight kills and 10 digs for Cedarcrest.

“It’s been a learning process,” Hillestad said of her young team, “They’re learning how to play consistent. It was good they were able to pull it out. It will help with their confidence.”

South Whidbey was led by Lindsey Newman’s 11 kills and 16 digs and Allison Wood’s 18 kills and 40 digs. Katie Holt (six kills) and Kelsey Dorpat (16 digs, 26 assists) also had big games for the Falcons.

“It was back and forth. Both teams were up and down. They played us better than the last time we played them. It was two evenly matched teams,” Hillestad said.

Cedarcrest defeated the Falcons 3-1 at South Whidbey earlier this season.

Coupeville 3, Granite Falls 0: At Granite Falls, Coupeville swept the Cascade Conference match in straight sets, 25-19, 25-14, 25-18. Linde Maertens had 13 kills and Julie Huddleston added 26 assists for the Wolves (2-7 in league, 3-7 overall). The Tigers (2-6 in league and overall) were led by Brennan Johnson’s 13 digs.

King’s 3, Lakewood 1: At Marysville, Laura Friar had 14 kills and four aces for King’s in its 25-12, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16 Cascade Conference victory over Lakewood (2-6 league and overall). Jordan Irish had nine kills and five blocks and Dionna Kirton had 12 kills. Anna Cesari has 32 assists for King’s (9-0).

Archbishop Murphy 3, Sultan 0: At Sultan, Archbishop Murphy defeated Sultan 25-4, 25-16, 25-12 in the Cascade Conference match.

Jackson 3, Lynnwood 1: At Lynnwood, Haley Sharpe had 29 assists and Leigh-Ann Haataja finished with eight aces and 12 kills, leading Jackson to the 20-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-18 Wesco South victory. Christy Cain added 11 kills and five blocks and Emma Linsenmayer had seven kills for the Timberwolves (2-1 in league, 3-5 overall). Laycee Hill finished with 28 assists and Jessika Barlow (12 kills), Kelsey McCartney (seven kills) and Annie Ogle (seven kills) led the Royals (1-2, 5-3).

Meadowdale 3, Glacier Peak 0: At Snohomish, Meadowdale won 25-6, 25-12, 25-16 to take the Wesco South match. Lynsey Rohrbach had 12 kills and Megan Nelson had 27 assists and 10 digs to lead the Mavericks (2-1 in league, 3-5 overall). Taylor Rasmussen led Glacier Peak (0-3, 0-8) with five digs.

Shorecrest 3, Mariner 0: At Everett, Jamie McDonald had nine kills and seven aces and Gloria Tseng added 13 kills for Shorecrest in its 25-14, 25-17, 25-20 Wesco South win. Gabi Leif added four kills and Brenna Lofquist had five kills for the Scots (2-1 in league, 4-3 overall). Brittany Ruscha led Mariner with 13 kills and five aces. Ho’Okena Varde added 13 digs for the Marauders (0-3, 0-8).

Mountlake Terrace 3, Shorewood 1: At Shoreline, After being tied at one set apiece (25-21, 18-25), Mountlake Terrace went on to win the final two sets 25-11, 25-23 and the Wesco South match. The Hawks (3-0 in league, 5-3 overall) were led by Leah Lechtenberg (14 kills and six aces), Jenna Donohue (12 kills), Christine Jensen (37 assists) and Stephanie McGee (24 digs). Laura Postor had 15 digs, Asley Baker had six kills and 10 digs and Jamie Carroll and Kelsey England each added 12 digs apiece for Shorewood (0-3, 3-5).

Darrington 3, Orcas Island 1: At Eastsound, Hailey Wales was the match leader in kills with 15 for Darrington in the Loggers’ 25-15, 25-14, 22-25, 25-22 Northwest 1A/2B victory over Orcas Island (2-4 league, 2-4 overall). Outside hitter Mandy Powell had 10 kills, six aces and 28 digs for Darrington (6-1, 6-3) and teammate Kelly Fanning had 35 assists.

Skykomish 3, Grace Academy 2: At Skykomish, Katie Mittelstaedt had five kills and Andi McAuliffe had two kills for Grace Academy. Teammates Lauren Krumm and Bayley Galbreath had six and four assists, respectively, in the 24-26, 26-24, 25-17, 16-25, 15-9 Northwest 1B League match.