(Editor's note: This story was originally published in the West Seattle Herald, BNT's sister paper.)

Though the sets were close and competitive, the Ballard Beaver girls came out on top all three rounds in their volleyball match with the Sealth Seahawks Monday, Sept. 10. Despite a good effort from the Seahawks, the Beavers beat them 30-28, 25-18 and 25-18.

It could be considered pre-season for volleyball but Monday's non-league matchup between the girls of Ballard and the Chief Sealth Lady Hawks had the feel of a game that counts.

Sealth hung close in every match, with two decided by 2 points, but this is a young team with very little time together and Sealth coach Lorna Considine feels they will gel as the season progresses. “I thought they played well,” Considine said.

Ballard coach Tami Reese had a more pointed view of her team. Even after the win she thought her team “still needs to work on fundamentals.” She did make note of two of her standouts: team captain and Center McKinley Kellog was a “great force” in the middle all game long and Liza Berg had 17 kills.

Non-league play continues tonight (Wednesday) when Arlington comes to Ballard and Sealth plays another home game against Rainier Beach.

CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE