Goldendale tops Warden

CONNELL - The Warden Lady Cougars volleyball team lost their first game of the South Central Athletic Conference playoffs Tuesday night to the Goldendale Timberwolves.

Goldendale swept the Lady Cougars 25-6, 25-16 and 25-22 to earn the playoff victory.

Warden head coach Jeff Kottong said his team got off to a lethargic start Tuesday night.

"We started slow," he said. "(We) made adjustments and started playing with more purpose and determination in games two and three."

Goldendale is the fourth ranked team in the state according to the recent coach's poll and Warden stood tall in the third game, Kottong said.

"(In game three) we led until 21-21 and lost the momentum with a couple of close calls," he said. "Goldendale is ranked fourth, so they have a lot of weapons and play together well as a team. They were undefeated in league play this year."

Junior Kacey Kisler led the Warden attack with six kills and one block. Kisler also had six aces from the service line. Junior Emma Bisnett added four kills and one block for Warden.

Amanda Martinez led Warden with 12 assists and Cassandra Kisler recorded 12 digs.

While Warden fell to Goldendale, Kottong was satisfied with his team's performance.

"I was proud that the girls continued to improve during the match and we are looking forward to Saturday's match ups," he said.

Warden will play Zillah Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in Connell.