Volleyball: Sequim fights against Spartans

The Sequim volleyball team faced a big challenge – literally – against the guests from Bainbridge at the end of last week and lost a three-set match against the Spartans on September 19th (25-11, 25-17, 25-18).

The Spartans, who had two outside attackers 6'2″ or taller, broke an 8-8 tie in the first set and took control.

Sequim (2-1 in the Olympic League, 2-2 overall) was able to close the gap in the next two sets.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell. Sequim's Kenzi Berglund, left, and Arianna Stovall try to block Bainbridge's Elsa Wetzler during an Olympic League game in Sequim on Sept. 19.

“They were impressed with our fighting spirit,” said Sequim coach Jennie Webber Heilman.

“We were good with our serves [initially] but in the second and third games my serves started to fail.”

Brianna Palenik led the way for the Wolves, hitting 11 of 11. Arianna Stovall hit 4 of 4 and hit three aces.

Webber Heilman said she was impressed by Rose Gibson's “fighting” defense against Bainbridge (4-1); she had 11 saves.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Brianna Palenik of Sequim, center, tries to get past Bainbridge blockers Carmen MacCulloch, 13, and Rollins Anderson in an Olympic League game in Sequim on Sept. 19.

“[Libero] Tiffany [Lam] was also very busy,” noted Webber Heilman. Lam finished the game with 15 digs, making him the team's best player.

Yzzy Montero, a substitute in the third set, had the most kills on his team with four.

The Wolves' serve was solid in the four games, noted the SHS coach.

“Hopefully our passing game will improve along with our serve.[in practices]”, said Webber-Heilman.

“We have to work on our offense,” she added.

Big win in Belfair

Sequim opened the week on September 17 with a four-set win over previously undefeated North Mason in Belfair.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim players celebrate after earning a point in the 19th set of their home match against Bainbridge on Sept. 19.

“I was able to play with everyone; they had some pretty good hitters and their setter was running all over the place,” said Sequim coach Webber Heilman.

The Wolves hit 87% of their serves, which was below Webber-Heilman's goal of 90%, but still managed 18 aces.

Kenzi Berglund was a big help for the Wolves, serving a perfect 25 of 25 with seven aces. She also had 21 assists and 12 digs. Gibson served 17 of 18 with six aces, nine digs and four kills.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Kenzi Berglund (23) of Sequim tries to score a goal for her teammate Brianna Palenik (background) in the home game against Bainbridge on September 19th.

Kassi Montero served 9 of 11 with a pair of aces. She added nine digs and five kills, while Stovall served 9 of 12 with an ace and had seven kills and two blocks. Lam added 15 digs and Palenik had five kills.

Sequim's original game date was September 24 at Olympic. The results were not available at press time.

A look into the future

Sequim hosts rival Port Angeles on Sept. 26 and league heavyweight North Kitsap on Oct. 1 before traveling to Bremerton on Oct. 3.

The Wolves will face Kingston on October 8 and North Mason on October 10, both league games at home.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim coach Jennie Webber Hielman (background) talks to players during a timeout in the first set as the Wolves face Bainbridge on Sept. 19.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Kenzi Berglund of Sequim waits for a serve from Bainbridge when the Wolves face the visiting Spartans on Sept. 19.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim coaches celebrate a key point in the third set of a league game against Bainbridge on Sept. 19.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Yzzy Montero of Sequim is all smiles after a tough game in the third set of an Olympic League match against Bainbridge on Sept. 19.

Photo by Michael Dashiell, Sequim Gazette / Sequim players gather after losing a point to Bainbridge in the third set of an Olympic League match on Sept. 19. Pictured in the photo are, from left, Rose Gibson, Kenzi Berglund, Kassi Montero, Sophia Greenleaf and Tiffany Lam.