Tough Loss in Rivalry Game

Everett, WA – In what seemed like an eternity, Trojan Volleyball was finally back in action Wednesday night, one week after their thrilling, five set match and upset win over #5 ranked Whatcom.  Friday's road match was cancelled due to Shoreline CC's COVID protocols which ultimately ended in a forfeit and Trojan win.

Everett would square off against rival Edmonds College, but at times it was evident that it had been a week since the previous match.  The Trojans started out strong in set one building to an 11-7 lead and held the lead at 14-11, but a 9-1 run in favor of Edmonds gave momentum to the visiting Tritons, and eventually the set at 25-19.

In set two, the Trojans again started strong with a 9-6 lead, but similar to the previous match Edmonds took advantage of some Everett mistakes and launched an 11-2 run to take a 16-12 lead.  EvCC kept things interesting this time and got to within one on a Malia Shepherd kill at 22-21 and appeared to have enough to come back and steal the set.  Two straight Edmonds kills ended the momentum and Everett dropped the 2^nd set 25-21.

Entering the third set, the Trojans remained to have a poised look and determined to prolong the match.  A 4-0 start by EvCC was again answered with a run by Edmonds, giving up five straight points.  But Everett stopped the bleeding and fought point for point through 18-18 on a Sarah Campfield decisive solo block. 

Everett then took a 21-19 lead on a Malia Shepherd kill forcing Edmonds to take a timeout.  After the break, back and forth action favored Edmonds 3-2, bringing the score to 23-22 and it would be Everett's turn to take a timeout.  Edmonds brought the score to 24-24, but Everett got the job done with two straight points, first on a kill by Erin Ingram, and then on a short serve by Devon McHenry that forced an error. 

Set four was another exciting affair, with neither team gaining more than a 3-point lead.  Edmonds built a 17-14 lead, but a four-point run saw Everett take the lead back.  A well-placed Edmonds timeout, got some momentum back as they scored 3 straight to take it back 20-18, forcing an Everett timeout.  The break in action did not fare as well for the Trojans as it had for Edmonds and six straight Triton points forced a final timeout by Everett.  EvCC got a point back, but in the end, it was too much and Edmonds prevailed 25-19.

Everett was led by Malia Shepherd's 19 kills, tying her single match season high and bumping her kills per set average to 3.61 ranking 2^nd in the NWAC.  The loss moves Everett to 2-1 in the North region standings, but still in 3^rd place.  Everett will have a chance to get back in the win column as they travel to Bremerton on Friday to face a struggling Olympic program.  The Rangers have started north region play 0-2 and have a 3-9 overall record but three of those losses have been in the 5^th set.  First serve is scheduled for 7:00pm.