By Gerardo Bolong
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

No. 2 state ranked 3A volleyball Kennedy Catholic possessed first place after using tough serving to pass home team Evergreen (White Center) 3-0 in a battle of previously unbeaten Seamount League volleyball teams at the Evergreen gym on Tues., Oct. 7.

The Lancers possessed first place at 7-0 and 7-0 overall while the Wolverines dropped to 6-1 and 6-2 following the encounter of squads whose toughest league match turned out to this match up.

"Our serving was tough and it put us in good position for points," said KC head coach Liz Quitiquit. "Our tough serves kept them off balance. They're the toughest match we've had."

In front of a sizable audience, the home team resembled players with feet embedded in concrete as the showdown appeared to be a huge mismatch in the first set. Kennedy Catholic owned all the connections after overcoming a 6-5 Evergreen lead. Against weak receiving, the Lancers showed superior serving and hitting power to turn their 13-8 margin into a 25-8 set domination.

"It was an eye opener," said Wolverine head coach Bethany Tate. "There was a little bit of a shock factor to start. Once we adjusted to the amazing things that I had told our players to expect they came back. I was proud of them coming back and now we know more about what to do to be better. It was a good experience."

With everything in control, the Lancers took a 2-0 second set advantage before star hitter Shayne McPherson was writhing in pain under the net. McPherson was carried off after rolling her right ankle.

Resuming play, the Wolverines righted their ship and sailed into leads of 8-5 and 10-6. Kennedy Catholic burst into the lead on the strength of serving, blocking and hitting to move into a 12-10 edge.

Leading 12-11, Kennedy Catholic used a four point burst to pull ahead 16-11. Evergreen drew within three points a trio of times with the last being at 19-16. Mailey Faletogo aided the Wolverines in some great moments up to this point, but once the Lancers gained side out they never relinquished it while closing out the set on a 6-0 run.

In the most contested set of the night, Evergreen was able to contest Kennedy closely throughout and led 14-13 before the Lancers tied the score at 14-all. The Wolverines regained the lead at 16-14 and maintained slim advantages until they owned their final differential at 19-18. Chances to take control revolved back and forth, but Kennedy mastered the finishing kick to serve and block into a 23-19 lead en route to a 25-21 set and match win.

"We really reacted slowly in the first set," Evergreen's Faletogo said. "Then, we knew what we had to do. Our passing got better. It was still those little things like missed serves that added up."

Apryll Eneliko paced the Lancers on 13 kill and 11 aces. Jasmine Moore and Malia Aleaga led a two-player assists combination with 16 and 15 apiece. Moore also posted 10 digs while Stephanie George recorded three blocks.

"We came together with a lot of passion, said KC's Moore. "In the first set, we used tough serves. The second and third sets were tough after we lost our leader (McPherson), but we were able to pull it together. It was a little frustrating, but it was about just getting better."
For Evergreen, Faletogo earned five kills and four aces. Malaea Vaomu carded five digs and Cecilia Vu dished up 12 assists.