The Centralia volleyball team opened EvCo play on Tuesday, and the Tigers came away with a 22-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18 win in Aberdeen.
“One of the better all-around games,” Centralia coach Marti Smith said. “We’ve been struggling with our offense. Our defense keeps us in games, and tonight, our hitters did a good job attacking the open spaces and creating a lot of out of system.”
Smith said the first set could have gone to either team, but she was proud of how the Tigers came out with plenty of energy to tie the match at one set apiece.
They trailed 10-4 in the early stages of the third set, but finished the set on a 21-13 run to take a 2-1 lead.
“It was great for us to have to fight for every point,” Smith said. “Just really proud of the effort. We turned it up a notch defensively. Not the prettiest set, but we kept the ball alive.”
A strong serving run from Makenzie Erickson helped Centralia pull away in the fourth set and polish off the win.
In her first start for the Tigers, former Winlock Cardinal Kendyl Guenther posted eight kills and two blocks while going a perfect 13 for 13 from the service line.
“A slow start, but as the match continued, she started settling in,” Smith said. “She got stronger as the match progressed.”
Brooklyn Sprague posted 18 digs and 15 kills, Erickson finished with 21 digs on 19 of 19 serving and two aces, and McKenna Smith finished with 23 assists, 10 digs, seven kills, and two aces.
Ceinna Arelong had 16 digs and 14 assists, Logan Baker added three aces and three kills without missing a serve on 18 attempts, and Neela Haywood added 15 digs. Ryleigh Butler also had a strong hitting night, finishing with eight kills.
As a team, the Tigers were 95 percent from the line.
“Serving was a huge key, because I know what Aberdeen is capable of,” Smith said. “It was who got the most energy. I felt all-around we had that tonight. Great start to get that league win. It doesn’t get any easier.”
The Tigers (4-3, 1-0 2A EvCo) will host Black Hills on Thursday.
