On Tuesday, Mossyrock traveled to Centralia for its third non-league test in a row against either a 1A or 2A opponent.
For the third game in a row, the Vikings did more than just hold their own.
“It’s nice to see a few different schools that we don’t always see,” Mossyrock coach Alex Nelson said. “And we can compete with big schools. That’s always fun for a small, little school.”
After an up-and-down first set, Mossyrock took control and eventually swept Centralia 26-24, 25-18, 25-19.
The Vikings (3-0) looked like they were ready to roll from the get-go, as they scored the game’s first eight points, but several hitting and service errors allowed the Tigers (2-2) to get back into the set.
Eventually, Mossyrock settled back in, scoring the final two points of the set after it was tied at 24. Another 8-0 run turned a one-point deficit into a seven-point lead late in the second set, which the Vikings were also able to put away.
Adyson Barrows was serving for both of those runs, and Nelson credited her for being able to hit her spots with precision and consistency.
“There’s definitely a reason that she's our first server,” Nelson said.
Another 8-0 run, this time led by Calliope Schultz from the service line, pushed the Vikings lead to 10 in the third set, and though the Tigers went on a run of their own to trim the lead to four, it wasn’t enough to extend the match.
Taylor Schwartz led the Vikings with 27 digs, while Barrows added 25 digs with six kills, and both of them added three aces. Schultz dished out 21 assists, and Nelson gave her credit for how she has grown into her new role on offense.
“She’s getting better at making decisions in setting and distributing the ball evenly to the right location,” Nelson said.
Brooke Schwartz added 10 digs, Kendall Cournyer logged five kills, Leah Contreras tallied four blocks, and Audrey Ollikainen finished with a pair of kills and blocks.
On the other bench, Centralia coach Marti Smith felt proud of the way her team battled, but she also couldn’t help but wonder how the game would have gone without those Mossyrock runs.
“I told the girls in the locker room, ‘It might have been a three-set loss, but it felt like a five-set loss,” Smith said. “Simply because of the number of extended rallies in that game. You’re playing an established program and putting it all on the line. I was telling my girls ‘you guys are right there with them.’”
Smith switched things up on the outside after the first set, allowing Ryleigh Butler a chance to “get some swings.” Butler finished the night with three kills.
“The girl can jump,” Smith said. “I thought that Ryleigh did a great job.”
Brooklyn Sprague finished with 14 digs and five kills while going 11 for 11 from the service line. Makenzie Erickson also went 11 for 11 and added 15 digs. Ceinna Arelong tallied 17 digs, McKenna Smith had 10, and Melissa Baine added five kills.
“I was really proud of all of them,” Smith said, while adding there is plenty of time to tinker and adjust before league play starts on Sept. 30.
Before then, the Tigers have two more non-league matchups, starting with a home game against Elma on Thursday.
The Vikings will also be at home on Thursday, when they will host Toutle Lake in a non-league contest..
“They’re like us,” Nelson said. “Great defenders, long tradition of success. We’re always excited to play the teams in our league that are tough, and they’re one of them.”
