HS Volleyball: Timberline Sweeps Lakes On Home Floor

9/12/24

(Lacey, WA) The Timberline Blazers and the Lakes Lancers came into Thursday’s match with 3-0 wins on Tuesday, but Timberline jumped out to a big lead early in the first set, jumping out to a 7-1 advantage. Destiny Mars and Kinley Smith helped the Blazers gain the big lead with a couple of nice points and Smith also added a pair of aces later in the first set to make it 12-4. Lakes rallied back as the first set continued, but Timberline picked up the first set 25-13.

The second set started off with both teams trying to grab the lead, but it was a very even start. There were ties at two, five, six, and 12. Marley Alefaio helped Lakes by earning multiple kills and blocks as she was tough to get the ball past with her excellent net play. Timberline went on a 7-2 run after the 12-12 tie, but Lakes fought back to make it 21-18, but the Blazers with the help of Kealani Naipo, Timberline would win the second set 25-20.

Lakes started the third set on a 4-0 run as Marley Alefaio had a block and Serenity Melton had back-to-back aces to give the Lancers a great start in the set. Lakes forced Timberline to call a timeout after building a 6-1 lead, but the Blazers won three consecutive points, highlighted by another Kinley Smith kill. Lakes held on to their lead as Kerra Tualamali’i, Marley Alefaio, and Serenity Melton helped the Lancers keep building to their lead and forced Timberline to call their final timeout, trailing 16-11. Lakes’ lead was at 21-16 when Timberline won a point to make it 21-17, and Kinley Smith headed back to serve. Smith would be the only player to serve the rest of the match, as Timberline closed on an 8-0 run to win the set 25-21 and win the match in straight sets.

Timberline improves to 2-0 on the season and hasn’t dropped a set in the early stages of the season. Timberline will take on Capital at home on Tuesday in their next match. Lakes drops to 1-1 on the season and will face Peninsula on the road on Tuesday.

Our Cole Health Game MVP went to Kinley Smith who played spectacularly throughout the match and helped close out the match for Timberline. Destiny Mars for Timberline was great for the Blazers, as was Emyah Riley. Lakes had fantastic performances from Marley Alefaio and Kerra Tualamali’i.

Link to full match replay on the NFHS Network. (Subscription Required)

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