At times on Tuesday, the Centralia Tigers were their own worst enemy. Yes, W.F. West was playing very well in spurts, but the Tigers felt like they were giving away too many free points.
After dropping the second set, however, the Tigers forced the Bearcats to earn every point, pulling away while avoiding the errors that cost them early in a four-set Swamp Cup victory, winning 25-16, 21-25, 25-14, 25-20.
After committing 16 unforced errors in the second set, five from the service line and 11 hitting, the Tigers had just one in the third and five in the fourth en route to the win.
“We talked about what we need to control on our side,” Centralia coach Marti Smith said. “That we need to be better with serving and we need to make better contact with our hitting. And it showed.”
The win was Centralia’s second over the Bearcats this season, making it the first time that the Tigers (8-4, 6-4 2A EvCo) have swept the Bearcats (2-12, 2-8 2A EvCo) since the COVID season in the spring of 2021.
“These girls have just stuck with it,” Smith said. “So for them to do this tonight, to get two in one season, it means a lot to our program and to them.”
Additionally, the win also clinched a top-four spot in the Evergreen standings, giving the Tigers a spot in the district tournament, though they have some work to do to earn a top-three spot that would place them in the quarterfinals.
Lauren Wasson and Hollynn Wakefield combined for 30 kills, while McKenna Smith and Selah Calkins combined for 32 assists. Wasson also had 18 digs, tied for the team lead with Gracie Schofield. Makayla Chavez added 10 digs.
Smith also went a perfect 22 for 22 from the service line with four aces, while Heaven Jacobson was 19 for 20 from the line.
While the rivalry win was important to Smith, she added that if the Tigers can continue to build on the final two sets of the match, she is optimistic about how far this team can go.
“Seeing them do the things they work so hard at practice, and going into next week, our final week, it’s very promising,” Smith said.
Smith also commended Alayna McGregor, who has worked her way back from surgery over the summer to join the team for the final stretch of the season. On Tuesday, McGregor went 6 for 6 from the service line, including a 5 for 5 mark in the fourth set.
“To see her being able to step out on the court and be productive, it means a lot to the team and it means something to her,” Smith said. “And we’re just so excited to have her back with us.”
The Bearcats were able to sustain some long rallies, but there were also times where the Tigers quickly went on runs that blew open the set.
After taking a 10-7 lead in the first set of the game, Centralia went on a 12-1 run to take a commanding 19-11 lead. The Tigers sealed the set shortly after.
In the third set, the Bearcats were within striking distance at 18-14, but the Tigers scored the next seven points to take a 2-1 lead.
The Bearcats did rally for a comeback of their own in the second set, however, overcoming a 12-6 deficit to tie the game at one.
While the final two sets didn’t go in their favor, there were some positives, including the team’s overall offensive prowess.
“We have been working the last couple weeks on playing smart volleyball, seeing the opposing court and attacking at holes and weak areas in the defense,” W.F. West coach Tiffany Alvarado said. “I was happy to see my hitters purposely choosing their attack placements and communicating with each other about where they see holes.”
Grace Simpson led the team with eight kills and also tallied seven digs, while Chloe Chloupek and Presley Mishler added six kills each. Mishler also had success serving, delivering three aces.
Jaden Jensen and Ashley Mueller combined for 27 assists. Lydia Koenig and Aubrey Prigmore led the defensive effort with seven digs each.
Later this week, the Tigers will head south to face 3A Heritage in a non-league game on Thursday, while the Bearcats will head north to take on Black Hills.
