SEQUIM — Strong service runs by Sequim earned a Rainshadow Rumble rivalry sweep of Port Angeles but the Wolves had to work for their 3-1 (22-25, 25-9, 25-15, 25-16) Olympic League volleyball victory on Tuesday.
“There were some really long rallies during the match,” Sequim coach Jennie Webber Heilman said. “Some pretty good play going on back and forth. Our serving has improved, and we had some really long service runs.”
The Wolves seized momentum via a 13-point run with freshman Teagan Nethery at the service line in the second game.
Nethery finished 21-for-21 on serves with two aces, five kills, a stuff block and 10 digs.
“She was playing defense, she was only in the back row while serving so lots of digs for the amount of time she was there,” Webber Heilman said.
Rose Gibson added a five-serve run with two aces in the fourth game and finished 18-for-20 with four aces, three kills, a block and six digs for the Wolves.
Ashton Reichner went 22-for-23 on serves with two aces, two perfect passes, a kill and six digs.
Freshman Jordyn Julmist led the Wolves with nine kills, seven digs and an ace.
Sequim (9-3, 10-4) hosts North Kitsap for senior night tonight.
Port Angeles head coach Alyssa Wetzler said the Riders were on a bit of a rollercoaster during the match.
“We came out strong and did all of the little things right, leading us to winning the first set,” Wetzler said. “The second set, we just had a hard time in serve receive — getting the ball to the setters and then executing our offense. When you get behind in points, it’s a physical and mental fight to get back in it — it’s not easy, it takes grit.”
Kenzie Moses was tied for the Riders’ lead with eight kills, while serving 7-of-8 with an ace, two perfect passes and 10 digs.
London Bourland also had eight kills, along with serving 11-of-13 with three aces and two digs.
Hannah Hairell contributed six digs and had three kills offensively.
Kayleigh Sargent and Hailey Castor each totaled eight digs and dished out 11 assists, with Sargent earning two aces on serves.
Juno Rognlien also had four kills and seven digs.
Chloe Clark led Port Angeles with 14 digs and four perfect passes.
Players from the two schools often interact on club volleyball teams, in pickup games and in camps and clinics.
Wetzler said the time together builds bonds.
“I think it allows the girls to compete in a healthy way playing against their former teammates,” Wetzler said. “Respect is involved. After the match there were hugs, laughs, pictures taken together and ‘I’ll see you at club tryouts’ between PA and Sequim players. That’s the type of camaraderie we aim to have in the volleyball community.”
Port Angeles (4-7, 4-8) hosts Bremerton tonight.
