Wahluke girls off to "great start", beat Lady Knights

MATTAWA - The Wahluke Warriors are 1-1 after one week of South Central A Conference East volleyball, and Rudi Christian says her girls are off to a "great start."

The Warrior girls lost their opener at Burbank in four competitive games, 20-25, 26-24, 17-25, 21-25. The came back at home to top Royal in five, 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-7.

"So proud that the team came back from being down 2-1," Christian said.

The Warriors ended the week with a non-league match with 2B powerhouse Kittitas and fell, 21-25, 25-22, 26-28, 22-25.

"We are off to a great start," Christian said. "I am so proud of the improvements that the team has made. It is still early in the season, and we are working out some kinks and trying girls in different positions."

The match at Burbank featured the hitting of Marleny Garcia and Tanya Mendez, and all-around play of Maripaz Olivarez. Garcia had 13 kills and Mendez 12. Olivarez served 24-for-24 with six aces and had 12 digs.

"We competed every game," Christian said.

Garcia was the hitting leader again against Royal with 12 kills. Kassandra Villalobos went 23/26 serving with 15 digs and 7 kills. Rebecca Ramirez served 20-21, and Liliana Ramirez had 15 digs, 20/21 serving

The Kittitas match featured the 13 serving aces of Villalobos. Garcia and Mendez had eight kills each. Liliana Ramirez and Olivarez had eight digs each.

"They are a great group of girls to coach, and it is exciting to see how far they've come," Christian said. "I look forward to seeing where our season goes."