Tigers Fall in Straight Sets to T-Birds

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Keeping up with the 2A Evergreen Conference-leading Tumwater for the first set, before faltering in the second and third sets, the Centralia volleyball team fell in a sweep on the road up north, 25-22, 25-10, 25-15, Tuesday night. 

The Tigers held their ground and then some in the first set against the Thunderbirds, leading at various points before a service run tilted the opening set in the home team’s favor. 

“The first set was a lot of fun,” Tigers coach Marti Smith said. “We executed well in the first set, we served well. We were hitting off the blocks and causing a mess for their side, we were playing relaxed, it was great to see that … I was really proud of the effort in that first set.”

Though the Tigers couldn’t keep it up, eventually hurting themselves and struggling in serve receive, Smith was happy with how her team showed up in Tumwater. 

Lauren Wasson had five kills, two blocks, and nine digs in a well-rounded effort, and Peyton Smith added 16 assists from the setter spot to go along with three aces, four block assists, and 100% serving. 



The Tigers had six players with multiple kills, and Marti Smith singled out libero Gracie Schofield for her strong play all night, with 14 digs. 

“This was one of her better nights at the libero position,” Smith said of Schofield. “She was just lining up really well tonight, it was a better all-around game that she had, I’m really proud of her.”

Bella Burney led Tumwater with 11 kills, with Natalie Montoya right behind her at 10 and Maddie Hurley adding eight. Emily Robello dished out 37 assists, and Hurley had a team-high 11 digs. Brooklynn Hayes had five aces.

With some renewed confidence that the Tigers can hang with the league’s best, Centralia will look to end its regular season on a high note Thursday on senior night against Rochester, while Tumwater takes on rival Black Hills on the road.