Everett, WA – Everett opened up north region play on Wednesday night against the #5 ranked Orcas from Whatcom Community College. Heading into the match the Trojans featured an 11-9 non-conference record, a win total that has already surpassed last season's win total by two.
With a large crowd on hand the Trojans came out with some energy and matched Whatcom point for point and the score was tied at nine all. Everett then went on a 5-3 run to take a two-point lead, but Whatcom came right back to draw it even. Back and forth both teams would go in perhaps the most intense set of the season to this point. Whatcom eventually took a 23-22 lead which prompted coach Williams to call a timeout. After another EvCC attacking error led to Whatcom's 24th point, another timeout was called and that one seemed to work because Everett responded to tie it back at 24. The Trojans then proceeded to score two more on Sarah Campfield's kill and block to take the first set, 26-24.
Whatcom came out of the second set with redemption on their minds, jumping out to a 6-3 lead thanks in large part to three straight service aces. The Trojans held composer, scoring five straight before a Whatcom kill stopped the bleeding. Everett maintained the lead and extended out to three at 16-13 forcing a Whatcom timeout. An 8-3 run ensuing for Whatcom gave the Orcas the lead back at 21-19, prompting Coach Williams to answer with a timeout. Everett kept up the fight in more intense action, but the Orcas prevailed in set two, 24-26.
The Trojans jumped out to a 4-0 lead to start the third set, and was able to maintain a healthy lead throughout. It was as much as 6 at 13-7 after a Jayda Grosboll service ace and once again had a six-point lead at 23-17 off of an attack error. The set was closed out with authority on Denna Gibb and Annika Jones getting the block to win 25-18.
Into the fourth set, Whatcom dominated throughout, going on a five-point run after a 3-3 tie and using another six-point run to put the match out of reach at 18-5. Final set score was Whatcom 25, Everett 10.
The fifth and final set was set up with more intensity, and after four straight points for the Trojans, Whatcom was forced to call their first timeout at 7-4. Whatcom then went on a 3-1 run, before the switch at 8-7 in favor of Everett. More action would set up a tie at 10, but a big kill by Malia Shepherd gave Everett the lead back 11-10. With the momentum, the ladies in red went on a 4-1 run capped by Annika Jones' kill to seal a 15-12 set, and match win.
The Trojans finished the night with a .205 hitting efficiency and were led by 16 kills and 15 digs from freshman Malia Shepherd (her 11th time this season with double digit kills) and sophomore Erin Ingram's 14 kills, and 15 digs. Another sophomore Sarah Campfield totaled 14.5 points from 12 kills and 2.5 blocks. It was ultimately a group performance with many players stepping up in big moments, making point saving hustle plays, blocks at the net, well placed sets, or strong serves that kept the Orca attack off balance.
The upset win marks the first for the program in conference play since 2014 and the first 1-0 start to conference play in over two decades. The Trojans will have to wait though and hang on to that momentum as Friday's match against Shoreline has already been postponed for COVID-19 protocols. Everett will have the opportunity to play next at home against rival Edmonds College with T-Trophy points on the line and a chance to go 2-0 in the north for the first time in program history.