Wolves show consistency in volleyball win over Vikings

The South Kitsap Wolves volleyball team stood tall in a non-conference match on the road against North Kitsap Sept. 10, prevailing with a 3-1 win and improving its record to 2-1 overall.

SK previously beat Sequim 3-0 but lost to Bainbridge 3-1.

“We’re trying to figure out our spots and who’s eventually going to be in our main rotations,” Wolves coach C.K. Scott said.

Both NK and SK traded leads early in the first set, with multiple sets and spikes from both squads keeping the game tied for the first portion of the match.

The Vikings managed to stymie SK’s scoring, scoring six points to the Wolves’ one and shrinking the lead to one at 16-15. However, SK managed to stave off NK and keep the lead, winning the first set 25-21.

SK managed to take the lead back in the second set and generated a three-point lead over the Vikings after a series of spikes and blocks from the Wolves’ middle blockers Skylar Hunter, Madelyn Schmidt, and Lizzy Pugh, giving them a 20-17 lead.

The Vikings stole the lead back after consecutive successful spikes and some SK miscues, winning the second set 25-21.

The third set of the game proved to be as highly contested as the first two. Both squads kept the final set tied early on. SK began to pull away with libero Payton Elmore rattling off consecutive strong serves, giving SK a four-point lead at 10-6.

SK continued to build on its lead through multiple successful serves and spikes, giving itself an even bigger lead at 21-13. SK eventually pulled away, winning the third set 25-13.

“I think our goal was to use our height against them [North Kitsap],” SK outside hitter Lelaini Killian said.

SK managed to hold a three-point lead for a majority of the final set, making a comeback difficult for NK. The Wolves secured the victory, winning the final set 25-22.

“It was a step up from last…game,” NK coach Kaelea Makaiwi said. “I said, pre-season is about working on us. I know you guys want to win, but that doesn’t matter.”