4th Place Finish at Crossover Tournament

Everett, WA – Riding a four game win streak the Trojans were back at the Walt Price Center, hosting an NWAC Crossover Tournament, the final weekend of non-conference matches before region play begins next week.  EvCC hosted seven other programs from across the NWAC, four of which were ranked in the NWAC top 10 coaches poll including #2 North Idaho, #6 Lane, #7 Highline, and #9 Skagit Valley. 

On the opening day Everett saw SW Oregon CC and Big Bend CC in pool play.  Against SW Oregon, the Trojans were looking for some redemption after falling to the Lakers 3-0 back on September 3^rd at a tournament in Spokane.  Everett returned the favor, cruising to a 3-0 victory winning 25-16, 25-15, and 25-18.  Denna Gibb played lights out defensively recording a season high 22 digs, and Sarah Campfield added 7 blocks (1 solo). 

The Trojans rolled that momentum right into their second game against Big Bend and won even more convincingly by scores of 25-18, 25-7, and 25-14.  Annika Jones had one of her best performances with 10 kills on a .409 hitting efficiency and Malia Shepherd led all attackers with 14 kills.  Malia was also solid defensively with a tied team high of 10 digs along with Denna Gibb who also had 10. 

The first game of day two was the final pool play game pitting 2-0 Highline against 2-0 Everett.  The Trojans saw Highline back on opening weekend at the Whatcom tournament and fell 3-0 without ever really being in the match.  Another redemption opportunity Everett battled in the opening set, but ultimately fell 26-28.  The Trojans rallied back to take set two in another nail-biter 25-23 but the Thunderbirds took sets 3 and 4 by scores of 25-21 and 25-16.

With the 2-1 pool play record, Everett advanced to play 2^nd place in pool B, north region foe and ranked 8^th in the NWAC Skagit Valley.  The Cardinals opened up set 1 in dominating fashion winning 25-12, but the second set was much closer.  The Trojans held a couple leads but still fell by a score of 25-22.  Things clicked in the third set for EvCC, taking one back from SVC, 25-23 but in the end Skagit played too well defensively and came away victorious 25-17 to win in four. 

Everett finished the tournament in 4^th among the eight competing teams, and several Trojans had a quality two days.  Jayda Grosboll totaled 117 assists to go with 5 service aces, 19 digs, 6 block assists, and 6 kills from the setter position.  Freshman Malia Shepherd continued to play well recording 44 kills, 8 aces, and 20 digs.  Defensively Denna Gibb led the way with 46 digs, and Sarah Campfield posted a total of 16 blocks.  The player of the tournament for Everett was Erin Ingram who also garnered All Tournament team recognition.  She slammed home 47 kills, averaging 3.62 per set, 8 aces, and 33 digs in the four matches played.

The Trojans concluded the pre-season schedule with an 11-8 record. The win total already surpasses last seasons win total by two matches and is the most matches won since the 2015 team that went 14-13.  This year's team has their sights set higher with aspirations to compete for a spot in the NWAC playoffs in a very competitive north region. 

Region play will begin on Wednesday with a tough contest against #5 Whatcom.  That match will begin at 7pm at the Walt Price Center on the campus of Everett Community College.