Walker, Garza guide Othello past stubborn Prosser

Allison Walker recorded 19 kills, 25 digs and three blocks as the Lady Huskies knocked off Prosser in four games on Tuesday.

by Neil Pierson<br>Herald Sports Editor
| September 26, 2007 9:00 PM

OTHELLO - With a 1-3 record in Central Washington Athletic Conference volleyball play coming into Tuesday night's match, the Othello Lady Huskies needed a spark to avoid a deep hole.

Consider the Huskies' hole much shallower thanks to several key performances, including junior star Allison Walker and senior backup libero Kristynn Garza, as Othello downed the visiting Prosser Mustangs 28-26, 25-14, 26-28, 25-21.

Othello (3-3 overall, 2-3 CWAC) had a lot to be pleased about afterward. Head coach Steve Parris was particular energized about his players' improved offensive outing. Walker finished with 19 kills to go along with 25 digs and three blocks, while Kylee Mollotte had nine kills and 10 digs.

"Our attacks were much better overall," Parris said. "We've been getting caught in a lot of situations where we haven't been able to swing at a third ball.

Parris said the offense has relied too much on tips or sets in recent matches, but that changed against Prosser.

"We got a lot of swings," he said. "They weren't beautiful swings yet. We had to take a little speed off, but they were swings."

While the Huskies' service game left something to be desired, particularly in Othello's game three defeat, Garza was the saving grace. Pressed into the starting spot after senior Oli Lopez was suspended for missing practice Tuesday, Garza ignited Othello with four consecutive points in game one and 11 straight in game four.

"Kristynn did a great job out there," Parris said, noting that serving has been a recent focus for her in practice. "She had stretches tonight where she really came through for us."

Othello had a 24-21 lead in game one, but the Mustangs battled back and eventually earned a pair of game points of their own. Walker saved the Huskies with a block, and a tip kill helped the Huskies draw first blood.

Othello cruised in game two, using six straight serves from Walker to grab a 13-6 lead. Priscilla Cantu, who finished 20 of 22 from the service line, served seven straight points to push the lead to 20-12, and Justine Villareal served one of her three aces to end the game. Villareal also had 16 assists on the night and senior Kayla Dickson chipped in with six.

Still, Parris wasn't happy with the Huskies' serving. He cited eight errors in game three - two in the final four points - as the reason for Othello having to extend itself to a fourth game.

"(Walker) missed three of them, and that's not like her," Parris said. "She's got some aches and pains she's trying to play through. She was leaning off to the side too much, not standing straight up."

Garza's fourth-game rally gave Othello a commanding 14-3 lead, and though the Mustangs eventually whittled their deficit to as little as four points, it wasn't enough. Mollotte finished things off with kills for Othello's last two points.

Parris also credited Prosser for its defense on Walker, though the junior seemed to thwart that strategy in the final game.

"She hits the ball pretty much straight down," he said. "A lot of teams don't come up against her at all. In that fourth game, she was trying to adjust and hit the ball a little deeper at their heads."

The Lady Huskies hit the road again on Thursday, traveling to Grandview for a 7 p.m. CWAC contest.