2A Volleyball: Savannah Hawkins Breaks Bearcat Aces Record

Posted

W.F. West sophomore Savannah Hawkins broke a 24-year-old school record with 12 aces as the Bearcats swept Rochester (25-13, 25-8, 25-23) on the road Thursday. 

The victory ended a two-game losing skid for the Bearcats, who dropped back-to-back matches to rival Centralia on Feb. 26 and March 2. W.F. West improves to 4-4 overall with Thursday’s win.

“We were dynamic,” W.F. West coach Emily Mora said. “We battled back. It was very intense. I’m happy we were able to come out in three.”

W.F. West recovered from a 20-8 deficit in the third set to come away with the sweep. The Bearcats were led by junior Ava Olsen’s team-high eight kills and two blocks. Morgan Rogerson was a perfect 17-for-17 serving with three blocks, and Alisha Anderson added a team-high 13 digs

“Overall, we did a good job covering the middle and moving the ball around,” Mora said.

The Bearcats’ previous record of 10 aces was set by Lindsay Marx in 1997 against Eatonville.

W.F. West travels to Montesano on Saturday for a non-league matchup. Rochester is still searching for its first win and drops to 0-8 with the loss. The Warriors travel to Tumwater on Tuesday.



Tigers Topple Wolves

Centralia nabbed a crucial victory, taking down Black Hills in four sets (25-14, 25-22, 21-25, 25-17) to take sole possession of first place in the 2A Evergreen Conference Thursday at home during senior night.

It was a redemption win for the Tigers, whose lone loss came at the hands of the Wolves back on Feb. 16. Now Centralia (7-1, 7-1 2A EvCo) moves up into first place over Black Hills (5-3, 5-2 2A EvCo).

“We just absolutely played way better this time,” Centralia coach Marti Smith said. “It was way huge. You never know going into senior night what to expect. Emotions can run high. This is huge for our program.”

Evie Rooklidge served 100% for the Tigers and tallied a team-high 24 digs. Jadyn Hawley was also 100% serving with 13 digs and six kills, while Maddie Stoeckler added 31 assists and 19 digs and Maddie Corwin contributed a team-high eight kills.

“They’re literally playing every point as if it’s their last,” Smith said. “That’s all I can ask for as a coach.”

Centralia travels to Aberdeen on Tuesday and Rochester on Thursday. Victories in both games would secure the conference title.