Everett, WA – On Dig Pink Night in honor of breast cancer awareness the Trojans took on #6 ranked and tied for first place in the north region the Bellevue Bulldogs. The Trojans came into the match after a win last week against Olympic College with confidence and looking to pull of the upset.
The Bulldogs opened up the first set with a 5-1 run, but Everett was able to close the gap at 9-7. Bellevue then went on a three point run that was promptly answered with four straight for the home Trojans. From there Bellevue outscored EvCC 5-3, forcing coach Whitney Williams to call a timeout down, 14-18.
Out of the timeout, Trojan's leading attacker Erin Ingram recorded the kill, and EvCC eventually got the game back to a two point deficit before BC ran away with the set at 25-18. Kelsey Kolling led the Trojans with 3 kills.
In set 2, Everett showed some resiliency by jumping out to a 10-4 lead, forcing an early timeout by Bellevue. The Bulldogs responded by cutting into the lead with a 9-4 run and Everett called a timeout of their own hanging on to a one point lead at 14-13.
Again, more grit for the Trojans as they answered with a 6-2 run and made Bellevue take their final timeout of the set at 20-15. The strategy worked as the visitors encouraged an EvCC timeout on a 4-1 run. Two more points out of the break and the Bulldogs tied the game, before eventually taking the lead at 22-21. It would be a lead that they would not relinquish closing out the match on a 10-2 run.
The third set would continue to be competitive as the scored was locked at 13-13 through the first 26 points, but Bellevue strung together a run that pushed their lead out to 4 at 17-13 and Everett took their first timeout of the set. Bellevue continued to connect offensively, and the lead was built out to 7 when Everett took their final timeout. With momentum on their side Bellevue carried out the three set sweep by a final score of 25-16.
Kelsey Kolling had one of her best games of the season with 7 kills and a service ace. Lauren Riske led the way defensively with 13 digs. Devon McHenry added 10 digs and 3 service aces, while Jayda Grosboll quarterbacked the team with 23 assists.
The first half of north region play is now complete, and unfortunately the rest of the way will mostly be on the road, starting with a trip up north to Whatcom this Saturday, who currently sits in 3rd place, a game behind Bellevue and Edmonds for the top spot in the north. The Trojans next home game will not be until October 29th when they take on Skagit Valley College.