ACH levels record at 2-2, defeats Wellpinit in three sets

COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors volleyball team evened their record at 2-2 on Thursday night, defeating Wellpinit in three sets.

Freshman Naomi Molitor led the Warriors with four aces and tied with junior Kayleigh Elder for a team-high nine assists. Juniors Natalie Evers and Beth Okamoto led in kills and digs respectively, both having eight.

“Wellpinit always hustles, and they’re scrappy,” ACH head coach Katie Walsh said. “So I said, ‘You gotta be ready for anything.’”

ACH took the first set 25-10, with the final point scored on an ace by Molitor.

“Defensively, I didn’t want us to get complacent,” Walsh said. “Always ready for the ball to come over and be in the right position because, with (Wellpinit), you don’t know what you’re gonna get as far as where it’s gonna come or when.”

The Warrior’s dominance continued into the second set, leading by as much as 13 before pulling away and once again winning 25-10.

“It feels good,” Walsh said of the sweep. “I feel like tonight we’re starting to get back in our flow, and feel more like who we really are as a team. That felt good for our first league game to show up like that.”

Wellpinit took its first lead in a set during the third set, scoring the first point to take a 1-0 lead. The lead didn’t last long, as the Warriors were able to go on a run and won the set 25-12, clinching a match win.

“I think just always play at our level,” Walsh said of what the team can take from this win. “Sometimes they didn’t have a great serving team tonight, and our girls served really well. It’s hard to pass against that.”

The Warriors return to the court on Tuesday for a road matchup against Oakesdale. The match begins at 6 p.m.

“We’re young, but we have great players and hopefully we (can) build throughout the season and get where we want to go at the end,” Walsh said.

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

BOX SCORE

Set 1: ACH 25-10

Set 2: ACH 25-10

Set 3: ACH 25-12