Wilson Creek rejects MLCA

Slow start against Wilson Creek stalls Moses Lake Christian Academy

If volleyball is like an Western movie, Thursday night's game is the scene where the two cowboys only hint at the real showdown to come.

Moses Lake Christian Academy and Wilson Creek both came into the game 8-2 in North Central B league play. And when dust cleared, Wilson Creek walked away on top — this time. Wilson Creek took three of four games in which even the apparent blowouts became nail-biters, winning 25-19, 25-23, 25-27, 25-19.

Up 14-13 in game one, Wilson Creek's outside-hitters took charge. Jessica Benedict's tip bumped the lead, but Becca Armistead followed with a block and two kills. The Lady Lions gave Wilson Creek a few free points and the game.

"We made a lot of mistakes in the beginning and didn't give ourselves enough time to come back," said MLCA head coach Jen Edwards.

With that game out of their system, the Lady Lions showed their true form. Big digs from Rachel Hallberg allowed outside-hitter Lindsay Dietzen to rack up a team-leading 16 kills. But the Wilson Creek tandem of Armistead and Amber French proved to be too much.

With the Lions leading 19-18, Armistead tied it up with a block and immediately put Wilson Creek ahead with a kill. French's kill after a long rally kept the Lions from gaining any momentum. The two finished with a combined 35 kills, 11 blocks and 34 of 34 serving.

Moses Lake looked like they were going to fade in game three, falling 6-3 early. But strong team defense stunted Wilson Creek's attack and the Lady Lions were locked in a seesaw battle.

The Lions took the 22-19 lead on consecutive kills, but multiple unforced errors gave it right back. Knotted at 25, Dietzen slammed down an errant Wilson Creek bump to give the Lions the edge.

Game four, too, looked like Moses Lake disappeared — until the end.

Down 19-5, the Lions staged an improbable run thanks to kills by Dietzen and Ashley Cole, and unfocused Wilson Creek play. The Lions' Bethany Verhage scored three of her 15 kills to make the score 24-19, before Moses Lake's unforced error ended the game.

"In volleyball, no lead is safe," said Wilson Creek head coach Mike Ottis. "We were 19-5 and they almost came back and took it. Until it gets to 25, you're not safe."

"They have a lot of heart and a lot of fight," Edwards said of her team. "They just waited a little too long."

The game was Hallberg's last home game, and as the lone Lions' senior she was honored before the game.

"She is the best defensive player we have had in a long time," Edwards said of Hallberg, who finished with 27 digs. "She sees the court better than anyone else."

Ottis said he though his team escaped with a win.

Edwards said her team is ready for Wilson Creek in districts, despite losing two to them this season.

"The third time's the charm," she said.

"Moses Lake is coming on," Ottis said. "They're one of the tougher teams in the league. It's going to be a dogfight."