BELLINGHAM – October 18, 2014. That was when the Mount Baker volleyball team defeated the Meridian Trojans for its fourth win of the season, before finishing the season with a 4-12 record. The Mountaineers have been winless ever since, until Tuesday night.
After losing the first set 25-15, and being down two sets to one after three sets, Mount Baker rallied to win the fourth (25-22) and fifth sets to defeat Squalicum 3-2.
“It was a 100% team effort,” first-year Mountie varsity coach Brittany Ross said in a phone interview. “They really came together as a team, and every girl got on the court and contributed in their own way.”
With Baker leading 6-5 in the fifth and deciding set, it was senior outside hitter Kenzie Ross, and her serving, that sparked a seven-point run. She nailed three aces in the seven-point run, which helped the Mountaineers complete the match by winning the fifth set 15-12.
“I definitely saw the potential that we had over the summer,” Coach Ross said. “The team really came together at a tournament in Eastern Washington. We feel like there are a handful of teams that we can really compete with.”
Kenzie Ross led her team with seven aces, 13 kills and 26 digs. Junior Ripley Reardon was strong up front with nine kills and four blocks, and freshman setter Grace LaVergne chipped in with 16 assists, 17 digs and a pair of aces.
Mount Baker (1-6) will host Blaine (2-4) on Thursday night.
In other volleyball games…
Lynden gained its sixth victory of the season by getting past Nooksack Valley 3-2. After losing the first set, the Lions won the next two, including the third set 25-10, and ultimately won the clincher 15-9. Junior Anna VanderYacht finished with 18 kills, 16 digs and four aces. Senior Savonne Sterk registered 11 kills, senior Robin Scarlett had 34 assists and 12 digs while senior Kennedy House had 14 digs. The Pioneers dropped to 3-4.
Lynden Christian defeated Bellingham, 3-0, and Ferndale bested Meridian, 3-0.
