Pete Caster / pcaster@chronline.com Centralia's Maryann Bringhurst attempts to spike the ball past Clark's Morgan Harris (13) and Lindsey McKim during the first game of an NWAACC volleyball match at the Centralia Health and Wellness Center on Wednesday night.
Pete Caster / pcaster@chronline.com Centralia's Samantha Gordon attempts to spike the ball past Clark's Jessica Wood during the second game of NWAACC volleyball match on Wednesday at the Centralia College Health and Wellness Center.
Pete Caster / pcaster@chronline.com Centralia's Samantha Gordon (9), Jordan Nelson (2), Payton Hoff (5) and Abby Gorton (right) celebrate after scoring a point against Clark during an NWAACC volleyball match at the Centralia Health and Wellness Center on Wednesday night.
Pete Caster / pcaster@chronline.com Centralia's Mandy Reynoldson digs a ball as teammate Abby Gorton looks on during the third game of an NWAACC volleyball match against Clark at the Centralia College Health and Wellness Center on Wednesday night.
Pete Caster / pcaster@chronline.com Centralia's Samantha Gordon sets the ball to teammate, and former Onalaska high school teammate, Becky Nutt (8) in the third game of an NWAACC volleyball match against Clark on Wednesday night at the Centralia College Health and Wellness Center.
Pete Caster / pcaster@chronline.com Centralia's Abby Gorton digs the ball as teammate Maryann Bringhurst looks on during the third game of an NWAACC volleyball match against Clark at the Centralia College Health and Wellness Center on Wednesday night.
Pete Caster / pcaster@chronline.com Centralia's Mandy Reynoldson stretches out to her left to make a play on the ball during the third game of an NWAACC volleyball match against Clark on Wednesday at the Centralia College Health and Wellness Center.
Clark needed four games, but was finally able to put away the Lady Blazers, 25-16, 2-19, 18-25, 25-21 Wednesday at the Centralia College Health and Wellness Center in NWAACC West Division volleyball action.
“I thought we played really well,” Centralia coach Susan Gordon said. “We’re a total freshman team, so every time we’ve come out we’ve gotten better and better. Right now, I think we’re just on the brink of breaking it over.”
Abby Gorton hit on all 17 of her serves with seven aces and 24 digs, and was 17 of 21 serve-receiving. Jordan Nelson added 12 kills, while Payton Hoff tallied 13 kills with three aces and 13-15 serving. Samantha Gordon, the Blazers’ setter, had 29 assists, six kills, a pair of stuff-blocks and a 14-14 serving night with three aces.
The contest was both the home and league opener for Centralia which, in addition to having a roster of first-year players, is in its first season under Gordon, who previously coached at Onalaska.
“The girls are playing really well and everything’s starting to flow together,” Gordon said.
Centralia led the second game 19-17 at one point, she added.
“We just had a couple of mental breakdowns right there, and they were able to take over the momentum,” she said.
Centralia (1-1, 0-1 league) hosts Pierce on Friday.
