Wahluke ladies stop Kittitas in Volleyball

MATTAWA - It took five tough games, but Wahluke High School upended class 2B power Kittitas in volleyball last week.

The Warriors and Coyotes split the first four games, and then Wahluke pulled out the fifth game, 16-14. Wahluke won the first two 25-19 and 26-24. Kittitas won the next two 25-23, 25-23.

"I am extremely proud of how hard the team worked from the start to the finish," coach Rudi Christian said. "We practiced hard all week and prepared for Kittitas."

This win was a turnaround for the Warriors. They played Kittitas earlier in the season and lost in four close games.

"The girls showed high levels of intensity and desire to win," Christian said. "The girls showed confidence and were strategic players, finding the holes on the court and switching up our attacks on offense."

Kassandra Villalobos, Marleny Garcia and Tanya Mendez led the offensive attack with eight kills each. Maripaz Olivarez added six.

Villalobos served six aces and made 13 digs. Olivarez had 21-23 serving with five aces and 13 digs. Mendez went 17-18 serving with 6 digs. Kenia Jamaica had 100 percent serving and 17 digs, and Liliana Ramirez had 19-21serving with 29 digs.

Earlier last week, the Warriors stumbled in South Central A Conference East action, falling to River View, 18-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-16.

"The team did not play to its potential," Christian said. "We had numerous hitting errors and lacked intensity."

Serving was a team strength, hitting 92 percent with 14 aces.

Villalobos went 16-17 serving with three aces and 18 digs. Mendez served 20-21 serving with five kills, Marleny Garcia had 10 kills, and Liliana Ramirez had 28 digs.