Warden volleyball preps for league schedule

WARDEN — Monday’s non-league volleyball matchup between Warden and Othello ended in a 3-1 win for the Cougars on their home floor, coming back to defeat the Huskies after dropping the first set. 

“We have not quite hit our stride yet, so I’m hoping this week is going to be a big test for us to overcome some of the obstacles of being consistent and disciplined for every single point,” Warden head coach Shanna Golladay said.  

After Othello won a close first set 25-23, the Cougars rallied to win sets two and three by scores of 26-24 and 27-25, respectively, before clinching the match win with a 25-15 win in the fourth set. 

An emphasis on serving was key in taking down the Huskies in the closely contested sets, Golladay said.  

“We started serving really tough, that helped — making sure our serves are in and tough,” Golladay said. “We’ve also got to be more consistent of putting the ball away and every person on the team needs to find a way to score; that will help us a lot.” 

Warden senior Lauren Chamberlain paced the Cougars in kills Monday night with 14, followed by fellow senior Reagan Golladay who had nine. Golladay has five aces in the win and six digs, while senior Genesis Ozuna went 18-for-18 on serves with three aces and recorded 23 assists. Junior Jamylex Pruneda went 15-for-16 on serves in the win. 

“Her passing (Monday) night was excellent,” Golladay said of Pruneda. “She was above the goal that we needed.” 

Monday’s game against Othello concluded a seven-game non-league schedule for the Cougars this fall, with opponents ranging from 2A schools to recent State Volleyball Tournament qualifiers at the 1B and 2B levels. 

“Last year, I really felt that our non-league games were way too easy for us, and then when we got to postseason, we struggled a little bit with getting some serious competition,” Golladay said. “... Even though it was really nice last year to be 14-0 at one point, it doesn’t do us any favors in the postseason.” 

After a 1-4 start to the 2024 season, Warden has now won three of its last four games after Monday’s win; 3-0 sweeps of Columbia (Burbank) and Mabton, along with a loss to Okanogan. 

“They can feel what those wins are like, and want to continue that feeling,” Golladay said. “It’s all about discipline. We’re a little bit roller coaster-y, we haven’t quite hit our stride.” 

Golladay noted Chamberlain, Reagan Golladay and Ozuna, as well as sophomore Hannah Roylance, as standouts through the first month of the season. 

“She’s a force to be reckoned with,” Golladay said of Chamberlain. “Fairly consistent, has an amazing front-row presence for us and she is so much fun to watch.” 

Othello fell to 1-7 on the year with Monday’s loss and hosted Ellensburg on Tuesday night. The Huskies return to the court Thursday at Grandview at 6 p.m. 

Warden hosted River View in a league matchup Tuesday night and hosts Tri-Cities Prep on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. 

Box score 
OTH: 25-24-25-15 1
WRD: 23-26-27-25 3 

    Warden senior Lauren Chamberlain, center, leaps up toward the ball during a game in the 2023 season. Chamberlain recorded 14 kills during Monday’s non-league game against Othello.