Colton Woods
Staff Reporter
Penguins dominate final two sets after falling behind.
A late offensive surge, coupled with several late errors from Centralia gave the women’s volleyball team a 3-2 win over the Trailblazers on Oct. 26.
Sophomore setter Alyssa Hernandez paced Clark’s offense with 42 assists, while freshman hitter Justine Tabor led the team with 17 kills. Sophomore Tracie Garrison added 14 kills and 12 digs.
“This was a good win for us,” Clark Head Coach Mike Lee said. “We battled hard for this one.”
After winning the first set 25-18, the Penguins dropped set number to 22-25 thanks in large part to stellar defensive play from Centralia hitters Hilary Luhn and Jonicka McMillan.
McMillan in particular stepped up for the Trailblazers after sophomore hitter Danette Kahle, who had originally started, left the match during the second set after an apparent leg injury.
Things didn’t get much better for the Penguins in the third set. Centralia jumped out to an early 8-3 lead and would eventually win the set 25-20.
“They were making the plays there in those two sets,” Coach Lee said.
However things turned around quickly for Clark. They jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead to begin the fourth set en route to a 25-13 win, tying the match at two sets a piece.
Centralia made things a little easier for the Penguins during that fourth set thanks to eight team errors while only recording eight kills as a whole.
Strong offensive performances from Tracie Garrison and Justine Tabor proved too much for Centralia by the end of the night.
Clark’s hard-hitting duo combined for 31 kills in the match, while the Clark team as a whole recorded only six errors during the final two sets combined.
The win keeps Clark in fourth place in the west division of the NWAACC and keeps them in control of their own destiny in terms of making the playoffs.
The top four teams in each division will compete in the NWAACC championships to be held Nov. 19-21 at Mt. Hood Community College.
Students can see the Penguins play in a key division match against Highline Community College on Friday at 7 p.m. at the O’Connell Center.
