NOOKSACK – The Meridian volleyball kept up the attack, much like it has all season, and defeated the previously unbeaten Pioneers in three straight sets, 25-20, 25-15 and 25-18 on Tuesday night.
The Trojans got off to an extremely fast start, led by the serving of senior Finnley Claeys, scoring the first eight points of the first set before Nooksack Valley was forced to call a timeout. The Pioneers came back strong, scoring the next six points.
“It was great getting off to a fast start,” Meridian coach Shannon Claeys said. “Nooksack is a good team, and they fought back hard. It’s always a great match against them.”
The Meridian defense played amazingly throughout the game, especially when it came to combating the Pioneers’ strong hitting of sophomore Lainey Kimball and junior Taylor Lentz. The overall quickness of the Trojans led to 62 digs as a team, which was led by 18 by Finnley Claeys and 17 by junior Avery Neal.
Senior outside hitter Jolena Hoefer added 12 digs of her own, and also registered a team-high 19 kills, hitting an amazing .514. Sophomore Emry Claeys added eight kills of her own on the right side, but it was senior Malaysia Smith kept the Pioneer front line guessing.
Already one of the best setters in Whatcom County, as evident with her 35 assists, she also added six kills, all on hits that I have dubbed “The Smith Surprise”. Because she is so good at setting up her teammates, she found opportune time to surprise the defense by sending a set quickly over the net, and in front of the back-line players to pick up a point. She used it sparingly in the first two sets, but went back to it more and more in the third and final set.
The Trojans (4-0) will have a tall task when they host Burlington-Edison (3-0) on Thursday at 7:00.
Volleyball scores around the county:
Ferndale 3, Mount Vernon 0
Sedro Woolley 3, Bellingham 0
Anacortes 3, Sehome 0
Lynden Christian 3, Mount Baker 0
