SPOKANE, Wash. -- In a wild five-set match, the Loggers take down the Whitworth Pirates to keep their hopes of being Northwest Conference Champions alive.
How it Happened
Despite enduring a long drive across the state, the Loggers were fired up to start the match. They came out swinging, jumping out to a 5-0 run.
Nicolette Raduziner started with an ace, and a
Maddie Badger block and kill kept teh Log rolling. Raduziner added another pair of kills just a little ways into the set, maintaining Puget Sounds' five-point lead. Kills by
Aubrey Tanner and
Mia Fedota split a Pirate 8-2 run, as the Loggers all of a sudden found themselves down 18-15.
Kills by Fedota and Raduziner, as well as a Pirate attack error tied the set at 18, but Whitworth took control from there. They put their foot on the gas pedal, going on a 7-2 run to close out the set, handing the Loggers a 25-20 set one defeat.
The second set went the Pirate's way early, as Whitworth kept their foot on the gas pedal. Down 5-1, a pair of kills by Badger, as well as a
Camryn Shigemasa ace, got the Loggers back within two.
Samantha Keightley added an ace as well, making it an 8-10 ball game. A 6-0 Pirate run followed, and despite a trio of kills from Tanner, the set slipped away. Puget Sound dropped set two, 25-14.
The good news, is that the game isn't over until the final point is scored. With their backs against the wall, the Loggers took the challenge head on. Five Pirate errors helped the Loggers jump out to a 6-3 lead, extending their lead to four as Badger added another block and kill. The Pirates went on a small run to pull within a point, but the Loggers started to turn up the heat.
Badger took control, adding one more kill and a pair of blocks to help the Loggers to a 6-1 run. Up 17-10, the Pirates crawled their way back into the match, but the Loggers were able to close it out. Another trio of Tanner kills led the way in a 5-1 run to close out the set, as the Loggers were able to secure set three 25-17.
The fourth set felt similar to the first two sets in the beginning, with the Pirates getting out to a 7-2 early lead. Puget Sound responded with a 5-2 run, as
Charlotte Fleetwood got her first kill of the day. As per usual, Badger was impactful once she rotated back onto the court, going back-to-back with a kill and a block assist to pull within one.
The Pirates put themselves up 17-14, and were feeling good despite the teams consistently trading points. The Loggers, like they have done all season, put together a run at the perfect time. A 5-1 run led by Keightley and
Calista Davis aces, putt Puget Sound back on top, 19-18. Trading points from there, the Loggers found themselves back against the wall once again. Down 23-22, blocks by Fedota and
Jillian Fox, as well as a Raduziner kill put the set away, as the Loggers were able to force a fifth set, 25-23.
The fifth set was some of the best volleyball of the evening, as long rallies and desperation heaves controlled the narrative. The Pirates rowed out to a 4-2 start, but the Loggers had all the momentum from the previous two sets. They went on a 5-1 run, as a kills by Tanner and Fedota, as well as three Pirate errors, gave the Logs a 7-5 lead.
Raduziner added a kill to put the Logs up three, 9-6, spiking another down to go up 10-7. A big Whitworth block kept them in it, but another Tanner kill came at exactly the right time. Up 13-10, Puget Sound thought they could cruise to the finish line, but three intense points tied the game up. Badger spiked a kill to go up 14-13, but an unfortunate error gave the Pirates control of their own destiny.
Tanner leveled the game at 15 apiece, but a block put the Pirates back in the drivers seat. Raduziner and a Pirate error gave the Loggers their first chance to win the match in extra points, but a Whitworth kill leveled the match once again. Tied at 18 apiece, the Loggers were back in the rotation they needed, as two final punches by Raduziner and Badger got the job done.
In an intense match through and through, the Loggers were able to stun Whitworth, and now have a chance to become Northwest Conference Champions. With a Logger win over Whitman and a Pirate loss to Pacific Lutheran, the Loggers have the chance to become NWC Champs and host the NWC Tournament next weekend.
What Happens Next
It all comes down to tomorrow, November 7th, as the Loggers take on the Whitman Blues at 6:00 pm.
