Led by a versatile attack and a stout and scrappy defense, the W.F. West volleyball team rode a hot start to a straight sets victory (25-7, 25-22, 25-12) over Washougal Tuesday in Chehalis.
The Bearcats (1-0) got out and running in the first set, dominating the Greater St. Helens League foe, 25-7, and never looking back, despite some errors in the second set.
In a showcase of a changing identity for the W.F. West, six Bearcats recorded a kill, and bodies were flying all over the floor looking to save points for digs and passes.
“They practiced hard, they believed in each other, they just have really positive and good energy,” WFW coach Robert Lucas said. “We’re a quick team, this is probably the scrappiest team W.F. West has had in a long time. They don’t want to quit.”
Chloe Chloupek led the way for the Bearcats with five kills, but Morgan Rogerson and Julia Dalan also added four. Senior Mari Ceesay also finished with three kills and four aces in a strong performance.
The pair of Ceesay and Rogerson, in particular, made sure sets continued with their hard-nosed play.
“There is a reason they are on the court all the time,” Lucas said. “They’re two of our scrappiest and they work well off each other and the rest of the team.”
On the block, Ceesay led the way with three, and Rogerson and Chloupek had two apiece. Setter Savannah Hawkins had a team-high 16 assists.
The Bearcats will look to keep it rolling Wednesday at home against Castle Rock at 7 p.m.
