By Gerardo Bolong

KENT—Last year the Kennedy Catholic Lancers denied Kentridge the No. 7 West Central District/Southwest bi-district berth into the state Class 4A volleyball tournament and found themselves in the winner-to-state, loser-out finale again Saturday.

This time, Kennedy weathered the Skyview Storm in three sets to punch its ducat to Yakima.

“Our hitters just hit well,” said Lancer coach Liz Quitiquit. “We passed and shot to put it away. It was ball control and still attack and be aggressive. We served tough the first two sets.”

Led by the dynamite kills from all angles by Haley Moore and key outside hitting from Sharli O’Neal, the valiant Lancers roared to early leads of up to seven points in the first set before the Storm roared back to eventually force a 19-all standoff.

Moore poured in an unplayable big serve followed by a KC double block.

SV got within 21-20 before the Lancers rang up three consecutive points.

Undaunted, Skyview stormed back to trail only 24-22.

A Kennedy Catholic block in the middle decided the set.

As good Lancer serving continued in the second set, Hanna Scandiffio, Dyamonde Schirmer, Amaya Cook and Amaya Crosby also got in some parting shots that helped the surging Kennedy Catholic squad run away to a 20-10 advantage.

Skyview closed the deficit to 20-13 ahead of a 5-2 closing KC barrage that ended the set.

Instead of folding its tent, Skyview settled in to force the issue more strongly in the third set.

The torrid action was based partly on the Storm taking advantage of a drop off in KC serving percentages.

Defenses also drew tighter while slim leads were enjoyed by each team.

Kennedy served for the set twice until Moore blasted a point for a 26-25 Lancer lead. Crosby then tipped in the winner.

“Once we regrouped, I figured this was my chance and brought the thunder,” Moore said. “We worked all season for this.”

O’Neil was even more emphatic.

“It was up and down, honestly,” she said. “I just kept a smile on my face and thought we’re going to win. Our motto is grit and grace. We’re gritty because we’re undersized. Grace is because we play for each other.”

This accomplishment was made even more amazing by the regrouping of the lineup as four key players ended up injured and unable to play in the latter stages of the season, forcing junior varsity players into pressure situations of varsity play.

“Just reflecting about it, maybe there was a purpose behind the injuries,” concluded Quitiquit. “Players were stepping up and growing confident. Freshman Alexa Crosby was a setter when the score was at 23 and 24.”

Kennedy Catholic heads to state in the Yakima Valley Sun Dome this Friday and Saturday with a 15-7 record.

Earlier Saturday, the Lancers found the necessary openings to defeat Rogers of Puyallup, 20-25, 26-24, 25-14, 25-22 in a loser-out match of the action at Kent-Meridian.

“It was the spirit and there were openings for tips,” said Avery Watkins.

Kennedy then ran into a tall and powerful Tahoma team and lost in three sets, 25-13, 25-17, 25-15, to send the Lancers into the Skyview match.