Looking maybe as strong as it has all season in the first two sets of a four-set win over Toledo (25-19, 25-16, 17-25, 27-25), the Napavine volleyball team had to fight through some mistakes to take a victory on the road Tuesday night.
The Tigers only had one player serve 100% for the match, sophomore Avery Schutz, who also recorded 14 assists on the night.
For the rest of the Tigers, it was a struggle getting the ball over the net, with 17 missed serves.
“The girls stayed aggressive at the net, but we’re still making the same mistakes,” Tigers coach Monica Dailey said. “I can totally see what they can be, we just need to string great moments together.”
Though it wasn’t their night serving, several Tigers had good nights elsewhere. Sophomores Keira O’Neill and Grace Gall each finished with 10 kills, controlling play at the net almost all night. Back row teammates Emily Kang and Nikki Ahmann combined for 33 digs, with Dailey commending the improvement of Ahmann, in particular.
Freshman setter Jessie McCoy also recorded 13 assists and four kills in the victory. Napavine will take on Stevenson next at home on Monday, after its game against Adna was cancelled on Thursday due to the Pirates being in COVID-19 protocol.
For Toledo, Brynn Williams finished with 17 assists, four kills, six digs and two aces. Aleena Bloomstrom tallied five kills and five digs, while Eden Jones added six kills, a dig and a block and Stefa Arceo-Hansen contributed four kills, four aces and a dig.
“We have a really young team and it’s hard for us to bounce back from other team’s runs and lost matches,” Riverhawks coach Brianna Klingberg said. “My girls are pushing so hard and they will get there. I have faith in them and can see the potential we have. Until we get there, we have to keep fighting and working harder than other teams.”
Toledo (4-8 overall) heads to Morton-White Pass on Thursday.
