By Kyle Howard

A division rivalry rematch between Chief Sealth and West Seattle High school on Oct. 5 began with Sealth trying to redeem themselves from a previous 3-0 loss to West Seattle earlier this season. The girls took the court with the band blaring and students dancing to the music. Both the band and student section was full and ready for this showdown. Even the visiting West Seattle side was full of fans. Chief Sealth started things off in the first game with a 5-0 run but was quickly countered with a West Seattle run of their own to tie the game at 5. The match continued back and forth with several lead changes until the game was tied at 24. Sealth’s Sam Foy served the ball that was unable to be returned by West Seattle for game point. The next serve was volleyed back and forth until West Seattle went to spike it and the ball was blocked by Lorraine Toilolo for the Sealth’s final, game winning point. Sealth won the first game 26-24.

The second game started with Sealth scoring 3 quick points, but the lead didn’t last as West Seattle quickly came back to tie. West Seattle took a 9-8 lead and a time out was called by Sealth. After the timeout West Seattle continued to dominate, going on another 4-0 run until a blocked spike from Sealth stopped the run. This game was neck and neck until West Seattle pulled away taking a 24-21 lead. The game ended with West Seattle coming out on top due to a Sealth player touching the net, tying the match at 1-1.

In between games there was a lengthy discussion between the referees and both coaches concerning a possible ineligible player on West Seattle. A JV swing player from West Seattle had played three JV games previous to Varsity, and as the rule states; a player is only allowed to play five total games in one day.

After the delay, things started out in West Seattle’s favor taking the lead quickly 7-2. Sealth clawed their way back and tied it at 9 with a spike from Katherine Kirk. Both teams changed leads several times until the game was tied again, this time at 14. Sealth then went on a roll and pushed the lead to20-15. West Seattle scored four unanswered points which would be it for them this game. Sealth won this game 25-19.

Game four turned out to be a nail bitter as Sealth needed one more win to end the match. It began with Sealth coming out of the gate strong taking a 7-3 lead. The game was 12-11 with Sealth leading, when they were able to score another point on an unusual and funny play. Zoe Haywood went up for a block at the net and missed the ball with her hands, the ball bounced off her head and bounced into West Seattle’s side of the court for a another point. Both the crowd and team enjoyed the play and had a good laugh, doesn’t matter how you score, a points a point. After West Seattle took the lead at 14-13, it turned into a hard, tough fought battle from then on. Sealth tied it at 14, and took the lead 15-14. One team would tie and take the lead, then the other tied and took the lead. Sealth didn’t fall behind until West Seattle finally took the lead at 25-24. West Seattle won this game with a bad serve from Sealth.

The match was now tied at 2-2 going into the final game. The band and fans (who were loud earlier) now were deafening, everybody on their feet hoping to see their team defeat their rival in a game to 15. A coin flip decided who would serve first and West Seattle won the toss and served to begin game 5. Game 5 turned out to be just as intense as game 4. West Seattle took a 5-2 lead, Sealth scored 3 in a row tying the game at 5; West Seattle regained the lead at 6-5. Once the game was tied at 7, it was all Sealth from then on, scoring five points in a row with the final point coming from an Ace served by Sam Foy. With the score 14-10 and needing just one more point for the win, the crowd still standing, everyone holding up their index finger signifying the final point needed to seal the victory. The game ended on a serve from West Seattle that hit the net and landed on their own side, ending the final game 15-10 as Sealth won 3 games to 2.

The band then blasted away as some fans rushed the court, congratulating their team. Sealth sealed the win with a great effort from everyone who participated, Madeleine Twombley and Lorna Sailiai combined for 45 assists, Katherine Kirk had 12 kills and 3 aces as Loraine Toilolo had 24 kills, both had 10 blocks each. After the game coach Lorna Considine said the major factors to this win was having great communication as a team, hard practice during the week and having more players eligible to be able to play this game that weren’t eligible last time these two teams met. She said she was very proud of her girls for playing to their potential; she also gave credit to the great band and student section for their support.