College Volleyball: Trailblazers Nab First Win

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Former Mossyrock star Andee Nelson had a team-high 10 kills and former Onalaska standout Eryn Duryea added seven kills and hit .333 to help Centralia College capture its first win of the season (25-20, 25-19, 25-15) in a home match against Highline on Wednesday.

Nelson and Duryea both slid in as setters, a position they’ve never played before, to help a Blazers team that lost five players at the beginning of the year.

Four players went home due to the risk of COVID-19 and possibly not having a season, while another player fractured her ankle.

That led coach Susan Gordon to switch Nelson and Duryea, both tenacious outside hitters, to the setter position.



“They both did an outstanding job tonight,” Gordon said.

Gordon also praised Ayzha Fuller and Onalaska alum Olivia Mitten for their performance at middle blocker. She also commended Mossyrock alum Faith Mulligan for her excellent defense at libero.

“I can’t say enough about them,” Gordon said. “This team finally played tonight like they’re capable of playing. They’re really buying into the program and it showed tonight.”

Centralia College improves to 1-6 and hosts Lower Columbia (7-1) at 7 p.m. on Thursday.