Edmonds spikers storm back to keep win streak alive

LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Edmonds College (23-1, 3-0) defeated Skagit Valley College (11-10, 0-3) in four sets, 23-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-17, on Friday night at Seaview Gym. Edmonds' strong performance included a pivotal fourth set with a .333 hitting percentage.

Edmonds began the first set with a strong start, taking an early lead with a kill by Jayda-Lee Kaeo and a service ace by Kaeo. The home team maintained momentum as Kamaleimahie Auwae and Alondra Zambrano each secured kills, while Abby Barrow contributed with key assists, putting the Tritons ahead 11-8.

Midway through the set, the Cardinals responded, leveling the score at 13-13 with kills and a service ace. Edmonds fought back, with Haley Yost delivering a crucial kill, and the team capitalizing on Skagit Valley's attack errors to edge ahead 19-17.

As the set neared its conclusion, Edmonds held a 22-18 advantage following errors by the Cardinals. However, Skagit Valley mounted a comeback, closing the gap and ultimately overtaking Edmonds with a late surge, securing the first set 25-23.

Edmonds began the second set with momentum, leveraging a service ace from Auwae and a block by Meredith Moszeter to build an early 3-0 lead. Although Skagit Valley responded with sporadic offensive bursts, including multiple kills from Kaitlyn Harrington, Edmonds maintained their advantage through consistent scoring, notably from Yost and Auwae.

As the set progressed, Edmonds extended their lead with strategic plays including another service ace from Auwae and effective blocking by Kaeo. Despite a late push from Skagit Valley, marked by several kills, Edmonds capitalized on opponent errors to close out the set with a 25-20 win.

Edmonds capitalized early in the third set with an ace from Barrow and a kill by Yost, establishing a 4-2 lead. The team maintained momentum through effective blocking, with a notable block by Malique Sweet contributing to their advantage. A 5-0 run, highlighted by kills from Kaeo and Sweet, further extended Edmonds' lead to 13-8.

Yost delivered consistently, adding to the lead with several key kills. Edmonds sustained their pressure, with contributions from Olivia Miller and Moszeter helping to keep Skagit Valley at bay. Millea McMurry's service ace brought Edmonds to set point, and Moszeter clinched the set with a final kill, securing a 25-16 victory to close the set.

Edmonds faced an early challenge in the fourth set as Skagit Valley jumped to a six-point lead, capitalizing on service aces and attack errors. However, Edmonds responded with a crucial shift in momentum. Kaeo and Miller each secured kills, contributing to a run that tied the score at 7-7. Auwae's service ace and Barrow's assists were pivotal in extending Edmonds' lead to 12-7.

Edmonds maintained their momentum with a series of kills from Moszeter and Yost, which expanded the lead to 18-14. Despite a brief push from Skagit Valley, Edmonds kept control. Strong offensive contributions from Kaydence Green and Miller, along with a final attack error from Harrington, allowed Edmonds to close the set 25-17, securing the victory.

Edmonds holds an impressive overall record of 23-1 and is 3-0 in conference play. Skagit Valley stands at 11-10 overall and 0-3 in conference competition.

Yost recorded 12 kills and 15 digs, contributing significantly to the team's defensive and offensive efforts. Zambrano tallied 18 digs and added 5 assists, showcasing her versatility on the court. Kaeo contributed with 15 digs and 7 kills, providing a dual threat in both defense and attack. Auwae delivered 6 kills on a .357 hitting percentage and added 3 service aces, enhancing the team's serving performance.

Looking ahead, the Tritons are set to face off against the Olympic College Rangers October 8. The match will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Seaview Gym.