TUMWATER — Prior to Thursday, the last time the Tumwater and Black Hills volleyball teams squared off was 10 months ago, when the Wolves swept the T-Birds to punch their ticket to the state tournament.
It was all Tumwater this time around, however, as the T-Birds (4-1, 2-0 2A EvCo) swept the Wolves (2-3, 1-1 2A EvCo) 25-22, 25-14, 25-18, topping their rivals in convincing fashion.
Tumwater coach Molly Cichosz said it was “really nice” to top the Wolves after how last year ended, while also adding that it was extra sweet winning the match in three sets.
After a back-and-forth first set, the T-Birds took command in the second, mixing up how they delivered the ball over the net and consistently finding open space for kills.
Cichosz said that that is always something that they work on in practice, and it was one of many things that the T-Birds applied from practice to the game on Thursday.
“They’re really starting to get some of the things that we’ve been preaching to them all season,” Cichosz said.
She compared Thursday’s win to Tuesday’s, when, despite sweeping Centralia, she felt that they deviated from what they typically try to do offensively.
“To come from that and play our game (today), it felt really good to see them bounce back,” Cichosz said.
That offensive prowess helped the T-Birds cruise the rest of the way. They were also aided by unforced errors from the Wolves, which came more often as the game progressed. With each error, the Tumwater student section got louder and the T-Birds fed off that noise on the court.
“It creates an energy and it helps us out with that,” Cichosz said. “It makes the games fun.”
New Black Hills coach Karlee Sampson always knew how tough it was for opposing teams to play in the Tumwater gymnasium. A Tumwater alum, Sampson played dozens of games in front of the Tumwater fans.
Thursday was her first time being on the other bench in that gym, and the intensity and energy from the stands was similar to what she remembers.
“This gym always brings a really intense game for anyone they play, with the legacy that Tumwater volleyball has built,” Sampson said. “I think (Tumwater fans) do a great job of supporting their team, and it’s tough to play against them.”
She added that there is plenty to clean up before the two team’s next meeting, including some basics that got away from them in the heat of the battle.
“We just gotta relax and play the game we know how to play,” Sampson said.
Ashley Harris led the Wolves with 19 kills, Lilly Kincaid led the way with 27 assists, and Claire Johnson had eight digs to lead the defense.
Brooklyn Hayes and Lalie Betschart were stellar defensively for Tumwater, recording 20 and 15 digs, respectively, while Natalie Montoya-Kilmer and Paige Henderson both tallied seven kills.
The Thunderbirds will look to extend their three-game winning streak at W.F. West on Tuesday, which is also when the Wolves will host Aberdeen looking to get back to .500. Both matches are set for 7 p.m.
