Everett, WA - On Wednesday night, the Trojans hosted #5 ranked Skagit Valley who boasted a 9-2 overall record, winners of four straight matches including a 3-1 win over Everett back on September 17th in a non-conference crossover tournament match. It was Dig Pink Night, in recognition of breast cancer awareness in partnership with the Side Out Foundation and the Trojans sported their pink uniforms.
Skagit flexed early jumping out to a 9-4 lead, but Everett responed with a 7-1 run to take an 11-10 lead. It was at that moment that the pink mojo was evident and the Trojans had a real chance to pull off another upset over a ranked north region opponent, the last coming over Whatcom on September 21st in the north region opener. Things remained tight in the opening set with neither team building more than a three point lead. A kill by Skagit's Bryn Batten (her 5th point of the set) brought set point at 24-21, and while Annika Jones kept it close with a kill of her own to draw within two, Batten finished things off with another kill to take the first set 25-22.
Despite the loss, there was still plenty of energy on the Everett sideline, and brought more grit in the 2nd set, going toe to toe with SVC, and through the first 20 points the score was tied at 10. Everett then went on a 7-2 run to build out to a six point lead. Skagit fought back to within four, but that is as close as it would get, and Sarah Campfield closed out the set 25-17 on her fourth kill of the set, 6th of the match.
The Trojans really poured it on in the third set opening with an 8-0 run, highlighted by Erin Ingram's 3 service aces and eventually taking a 14-4 lead. Skagit showed why they are a top program in the NWAC and answered with a 6-0 run to get back to within striking distance at 14-10, but two straight attack errors thwarted any hope of a comeback, and the Trojans cruised to a 25-13 set three win. Malia Shepherd shined recording 6 of her 13 total kills in that set.
The fourth and final set was competitive, and the Cardinals were not going to leave the Walt Price Center easily. Some back and fourth action through the first 12 minutes of the set saw the scored tied at 14-14. Once again, Everett flipped the switch and used a 9-0 run to put the match out of reach for Skagit Valley. At 22-14, the Cardinals were able to scratch out a few more points, but it would be in vain as Everett took the fourth set 25-18. Twenty Six attack errors plagued the Cardinals, while Everett capitalized on a .201 team hitting percentage and 14 service aces. Malia Shepherd recorded 8 by herself for a new season high and also posted 13 kills on a .281 hitting percentage with 10 digs. This was her 9th double-double of the season and her 21 points also was a season high. Erin Ingram recorded 13 kills on a .225 hitting percentage and also had 13 digs for her 5th double double of the season. The other offensive weapon of the night was Sarah Campfield with 7 kills on .545 efficiency. Denna Gibb led the Trojans in digs with 15 and Jayda Grosboll served up 32 assists.
Everett is looking to ride the momentum into Bellevue on Friday night as they take on the Bulldogs, ranked #7 in the NWAC. Everett has not beaten NWAC powerhouse Bellevue, since 1997, but this year's Trojan squad has the talent, grit, and determination, to change that.