Warriors win tough volleyball showdown

ROYAL CITY - Royal and Wahluke High Schools played their best volleyball of the year last week. It was just too bad it came against each other, and one of them had to lose.

The Warriors won a volleyball fan's match after losing the first two games. The final score was 23-25, 19-25, 25-18, 26-24, 15-11, and every game and every point were hotly contested.

"Great effort and spirit, never give up attitude," Royal coach Paul Olsufka said. "Looking to build on the positive points to compete in the matches to come."

In other matches last week, Royal lost to Kiona-Benton in three games and Warden in three games. Wahluke fell to Burbank in three and Kittitas in four.

"Great win over Royal," Warrior coach Rudi Christian said. "We started off slow, and a little flat. But the girls battled back after losing the first two. I am very proud that they were able to work together as a team and finish the match with a win."

Lindsey Small had a stellar night to lead the Knights. She was 16-16 serving with two aces and nine kills on offense. On defense she had 12 digs and two blocks.

Ashley Valle went 26-27 serving with five aces. She had 14 digs and five kills. Taylor Freeman had 19-21 serving, four aces and five kills.

Kailee Harris had four aces and seven kills. Alix Ziegler had 25 assists, Samantha Noftle went 11-13 serving with two aces and four kills, and Allison Joslin had six digs.

Morgan Peterson led the Wahluke attack with eight kills. Meagan Yorgesen had five, and Maripaz Olivarez and Maria Salas had four each.

Olivarez had 12 perfect passes and led the defense with 20 digs. She had two blocks, as did Peterson.

Olivarez went 27-29 serving with six aces (three in a row), Rebecca Ramirez went 19-21 with four aces, and Abby Yorgesen went 15-15 with two aces. Salas and Mary Espino went 8-8, and Dianne Cruz served 8-9.