Centralia College fell behind early and found its groove too late in a sweeping loss (25-12, 25-10, 25-23) to Highline in its home opener Wednesday.
“The third set we came alive and started serving a lot tougher,” Blazers coach Susan Gordon said. “We had nine total service aces in that set. We made them play… We have to make our opponent play and perform to beat us.”
Jordyn Burks led the Blazers’ attack with three kills to go with an assist. Onalaska alum Olivia Mitten, Mossyrock alum Andee Nelson, Toledo alum Kate Demery and Centralia alum Faith Waterfield each recorded a kill.
But the Blazers struggled overall attacking Highline, finishing with a -.026 hitting percentage.
“We did not come ready to play,” Gordon said. “Our hitters could not put the ball away as a team. We had a negative hitting percentage. Can’t win games like that.”
Adna alum Maddie Kleemeyer handed out a team-high seven aces and two assists, while Demery added a team-high two digs. Mitten and Waterfield each contributed a block.
Centralia College falls to 2-7 overall and 0-1 in West Region play with the loss. The Blazers travel to Tacoma on Thursday.
