The Centralia volleyball team dropped its third five-set match of the season on Thursday, falling to Aberdeen 25-23, 13-25, 25-13, 26-28, 12-15.

In addition to having a 2-1 lead, the Tigers also led the fourth set 20-17 before the Bobcats rallied to force a fifth. In that set, Centralia committed 13 unforced errors.

“It’s a hard one for sure,” Centralia coach Marti Smith said. “What keeps us from forging ahead is those unforced errors … We need to contain that going forward.”

There were still some positives that Smith took away from the loss, including the third set, which Smith said was the best set she’s seen the Tigers play all year.

“It was near flawless,” Smith said. “It was just too bad we couldn’t carry it over late in the fourth set to get out of there with the win.”

She was also proud of the way the Tigers fought when down late, something she said she didn’t see as much of at times earlier in the season.

“They busted their rear ends off,” Smith said. “If they play that way the rest of the way, we’ll be right there. As long as they believe and play the way they did tonight.”

McKenna Smith led the way with 20 assists, 10 digs, seven kills, and four aces, while Brooklyn Sprague added 17 digs and nine kills.

Mckenzie Erickson led the defense with 22 digs, Mikaela Marazita had 10 kills, and Madison Breckel went 13 for 13 from the service line. 

Ryleigh Butler finished with four kills, each one coming at a timely point according to Smith.

“She had her best game of the season.” Smith said. “The kills really just kind of lifted everybody up. She had some really nice saves as well.” 

The Tigers (3-9, 1-6 2A EvCo) will host Black Hills for their senior night on Tuesday.