Another league game, another league win for Tumwater on Thursday, as the Thunderbirds swept Centralia 25-12, 25-17, 25-13.
Chloe Henderson tallied 15 digs and 14 kills for the T-Birds, while Maille Marty added 37 assists, nine digs, and four aces. McKayla Clary logged 13 digs and seven kills, while Lalie Betschart also collected 13 digs and Tove Hugus had nine kills.
Centralia coach Marti Smith was more than impressed with Tumwater, giving them all of the credit postgame.
“Usually for us, it’s been our own errors and mistakes that have cost us games,” Smith said. “But Tumwater went out and earned it tonight.”
Makenzie Erickson finished with 10 digs, and Smith noted that almost every single one was earned.
“She made some really nice plays tonight against some very heavy hitters,” Smith said. “She was amazing. We were really proud of what she did for us tonight in that back row.”
Erickson and Brooklyn Sprague were perfect serving, and Sprague also had eight digs. Hollynn Wakefield added four kills, and Payton Baumel added two blocks, two block assists, and a pair of kills that Smith said were two of her best kills of the season.
“They really just kept battling,” Smith said. “That’s a really positive thing to see.”
Though the Tigers are 0-5 in league play, four of the five 2A teams in the EvCo can earn their way into the district tournament. Shelton, a 3A school, will play in a 3A district tournament if they qualify.
That leaves Centralia with plenty to play for over the next couple weeks, starting with a non-league game at home against Tenino.
“Hopefully we can right the ship and gain some confidence back before having to hit the road,” Smith said.
Centralia (2-7, 0-5 2A EvCo) will hit the road twice next week, heading to Shelton on Tuesday and Aberdeen on Thursday.
Tumwater (8-2, 4-0 2A EvCo), meanwhile, is sitting atop the EvCo standings with Aberdeen, which also has a perfect 4-0 league record.Those two teams will meet on Tuesday in Tumwater.
