Everett, WA – The Trojans kept their streak alive when they downed Skagit Valley in the 5th set on Wednesday night, remaining 4-0 this season in matches that go the distance. It was a north region showdown with the #9 ranked Skagit Valley Cardinals, a team that defeated EvCC in three sets back on September 29th in Mount Vernon. Both teams entered the contest ranked in the top 10 in the NWAC and vying for one of four spots in the north region standings that qualify for the post season.
The Cardinals don't stand out in the stat sheet as having a particularly strong offensive or defensive team, but they have ground out some big wins including a most recent 3-1 victory over top ranked Edmonds.
Scrappy play from the Cardinals and four EvCC service errors kept the first set closer than it could have been, and the score remained tied at 10-10 through the first 20 points. Skagit began to find a rhythm and led by as many as five before coach Williams called a timeout at 20-15. The Trojans clawed back to within two but Skagit rode the confidence from their Edmonds win and took the first set 25-20. Annika Mason led the way with 4 kills from the middle and Malia Shepherd played well out of the back row with 10 digs.
Everett got out early 9-4 in the second set but the Cardinals came storming back to tie the game at 15 and eventually take a 17-15 lead before coach Williams called a timeout. EvCC answered with back-to-back kills by Jolena Hoefer and Malia Shepherd which re-energized the home crowd. Still, the Cardinals remained composed and reclaimed the lead at 23-20 and coach Williams took her last time out of the set.
Out of the break Annika Jones got a big block at the net for a side out and in the next rally the Trojans dug out a certain kill and responded to get the point and force a Skagit Valley time out. Skagit got the following point, but once again Everett responded to tie the match at 24. More action would ensue, which included Skagit jumping out 26-25. Annika Mason kept EvCC alive with a kill and then Annika Jones finished off the set with back-to-back service aces, winning the match 28-26, and drawing the match even.
This time it would be Skagit Valley who would jump out to a 9-4 lead to start the third set. Coach Williams called an early timeout to refocus the troops, and EvCC fought to rattle off four straight and tie the match at 14. Skagit Valley stayed with it and built the lead back to three before the Trojans flipped the script and tied it once again at 22 on a Katie Serles service ace, her second of the match.
Skagit Valley called timeout and while Malia Shepherd got a big kill, SVC got the next two points and Coach Williams used her last timeout. In epic fashion EvCC closed it out with a Shepherd kill, followed by a Jones Kill, and capped with Shepherd's service ace. The Trojans took the set 26-24, and went into the 4th set with a 2-1 match advantage.
Skagit once again took the early set lead 11-6, and held a five-point cushion until EvCC made a nice run to close within one at 17-18 on an Annika Jones kill. Skagit held EvCC at bay and pushed the lead back out to 21-18 before Coach Williams took a timeout. Jolena Hoefer got the Trojans a kill out of the break but Skagit held on for the 25-22 win forcing a 5th set.
Everett last played in a fifth set match back on September 2nd in which they actually won two fifth set matches that day first over Columbia Basin College, and then later over Lower Columbia College in the Coach G Memorial Invite.
After Skagit Valley got out to a 3-2 lead, EvCC got on a role, scoring four straight and taking a 6-3 lead before the Cardinals called timeout. EvCC was the first team to 8 on the mid set switch after a Skagit hitting error. Another attack error by SVC gave Everett a 9-5 lead and the Cardinals called their final timeout.
Behind a raucous crowd EvCC closed out the match on a 5-1 run capped with a Denna Gibb service ace, the second time this year that the Trojans have won on a Gibb ace. It was a 15-kill night for Malia Shepherd who also had 23 digs and 3 service aces. Three other Trojans had double digit kills, Jolena Hoefer (13 and a new career high), Annika Jones (13), and Annika Mason (10, her highest total since the September 2nd, five-set bout with LCC). As a team the Trojans were big at the net with 11 blocks, and totaled 57 kills. Defensively everyone was flying around with a team total of 103 diggs, led by Katie Serles' 26. Serles also led the team with 45 assists.
For the Trojans it was a momentous win that keeps them one game ahead of Whatcom in the standings, and in position to close out a win on sophomore night to solidify a spot in the playoffs. EvCC now has an overall record of 20-10, their first 20-win season since 2014. The final home game will be this Friday, October 27th against Olympic College. Match time is set for 7:00pm.