Bellevue, WA - In the season finale, the Trojans found themselves eliminated from playoff contention, but with much to play for, much to prove. In the past five seasons the EvCC volleyball program has won just 12 matches, but in Whitney Williams' second year (first full year) of competition, the Everett Trojans have gained respect from the rest of the north region. EvCC finished 5th in the final standings, with 9 wins, their best finish and most wins since the 2015 season. And in the final match of the year, going up against a Bellevue team ranked 5th in the NWAC and vying for a North Region Championship, the Trojans had one final game to show how far they have come.
The opening set was tight, with five lead changes and five ties. At 14-14, Everett took advantage of a Bellevue service error to go up 15-14, and then proceeded to go on a 7-2 run, sparked by 3 kills from Erin Ingram. Bellevue made a run of their own to draw within three, but a team effort block from Kelsey Kolling and Kieresten Griffen, followed by a Devon McHenry kill completed the upset win.
After five kills in set one, Erin Ingram opened up set two with four straight kills to put the Trojans up 5-4. But the host Bulldogs, with a north region championship on the line, answered rattling off a 6-0 run to take a five point lead from which EvCC would not be able to fully recover. Bellevue closed out the second set on a 13-3 run and drew the match even with a 25-16 set win.
BC continued to flex their muscles winning set three going away after a 5-5 start, punctuating the 25-11 set win with a service ace. Bellevue then went on to jump out to an early lead in the 4th set, after trailing 2-1, scoring 8 straight and building the lead to as much as 13. Everett fought to the end with an 8-4 run, but it was too little too late, and Bellevue completed the comeback match victory.
Erin Ingram led all attackers with 16 kills on the match and also contributed 9 digs. Sophomore, Stasia Ka'ahanu played in her final game as a Trojan and led the team defensively with 13 digs, while Sarah Campfield continued to be a force at the net recording 3 solo blocks and 1 block assist.
Freshman Erin Ingram, had a monstrous year, finishing with 250 kills on the season, ranking her 3rd in the NWAC in total kills. Freshman setter Jayda Grosboll ended the year with 569 assists, which ranked 6th in the NWAC and also had 34 service aces ranking inside the top 10. Sarah Campfield, also a freshman finished the year with 80 blocks (45 solo, 35 assisted), which led the entire NWAC. These three could make up a solid core along with the other returning freshman for next season's campaign.