Everett, WA – Fresh off a big win two nights ago against Skagit Valley, the 20-win Trojans returned home for sophomore night, the final home game of the regular season, to face Olympic College. The Rangers entered the contest with a 2-7 north region record, but defeated the Trojans in their previous meeting back in Bremerton.
Eager for redemption and to send the sophomores off from Larry Walker court with a victory, the team took an early five-point lead with kills from Shepherd, Jones, Hoefer, and Curry. But the Rangers played spirited volleyball and came back to tie the set at 15-15. Coach Williams took a timeout but the Trojans struggled to find rhythm and Olympic took a four-point lead 20-16. A pair of Annika Jones kills got EvCC back into it, and a 4-1 run tied the set at 22. Jones got another kill out of the timeout, but the Rangers kept their composure and stole the set win 27-25.
Everett was locked in to start the second set and built out a 10-2 lead before Olympic called timeout. Out of the timeout, Olympic fought back with a 7-2 run to get the Rangers back in it but four straight kills from Shepherd (2), Mason, and Serles got the Trojans back up by 8 at 17-9 and it was another Ranger timeout. Everett flexed their muscles and closed out the set on a seven-point run, capped with a Cam Clarke service ace and taking it 25-10.
Despite the lopsided 2nd set, Olympic showed grit and through the first nine points, Everett's lead was only one. But an Annika Jones kill was followed by three straight service aces from freshman Jessica Eames, and the Trojans took control. The lead grew to as many as 9, and while the Rangers were able to get back within 6, the Trojans were simply too strong at the net and won the set going away 25-14. As a team EvCC combined for 11 kills and 5 service aces in the 3rd set.
Olympic kept it within five, through the first fifteen points of the 4th set, but in the end the Trojans were too good for the visitors to overcome. Everett took the match in four sets after winning the final set 25-13.
Two sophomores had big offensive nights for the Trojans on their last game on Larry Walker Court. Malia Shepherd had 14 kills and Annika Jones tied her career high of 16 kills. Cam Clarke led the team with 31 digs, the third time this season she's had 30 or more in a match. Katie Serles continued her strong play from the setter position with 47 assists and also posted 3 kills and 9 digs. It was also a great night from behind the service line as four Trojans got three service aces (Clarke, Serles, Jessica Eames, and Denna Gibb).
The Trojans move a game closer to clinching a spot in the NWAC playoffs, holding the half game lead over Whatcom, who also won tonight in a big upset at Edmonds. Everett has one final game, next Wednesday on the road at Bellevue. A win will keep Everett ahead of Whatcom in the standings and clinch a trip to the post season for the second straight season.
After the match, Everett Community College recognized 7 sophomores for their contributions to the program. Camille Clarke, Malia Shepherd, Katie Serles, Denna Gibb, Jolena Hoefer, Gabriella Curry, and Annika Jones all have played a huge role in elevating the volleyball program at Everett. In two seasons the group has won 40 matches, the highest two-year win total in the 45 years of program history.