Yakima Valley Knocks Off Lower Columbia in 4 Sets in First Match of NWAC Volleyball Quarterfinals

LAKEWOOD, Wash. - The Yakima Valley Yaks volleyball team earned a big win to open the NWAC Volleyball Championship Elite 8, defeating Lower Columbia in four sets (25-17, 26-24, 23-25, 26-24) on Friday afternoon at Pierce College.

Apart from a eight-point set one victory, the final three sets were all played very tightly, with each team winning by just two points. The Yaks leaned on the hitting trio of Ana Hrle (12 kills), Kaylee Wheeler (11 kills) and McKenna Steiner (10 kills) to spread the ball around and keep the fast Lower Columbia defense moving. Setters Jessica Mariscal and Hayley Pyrah had 25 and 17 assists, respectively. Brynn Widner led all players with 28 digs from the libero position while Steiner and Haylee Hoker each had 16 digs.

Lower Columbia's Kate Johnson gave the Yaks everything they could handle as she paced all players with 18 kills and a .349 hitting percentage. Kate Onespot-Danforth played everywhere for LCC with 26 assists, 17 digs, six kills and two block assists. Madi Noel had 20 digs for the Red Devils while Paige Chinchen added 17 with 11 kills. Alex Tinsley had 20 assists and eight digs.

The Yaks move onto the NWAC semifinals and will take on the winner of the North Idaho vs. Bellevue match on Saturday at 2 p.m.

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