Overcoming injuries, the Oak Harbor High School volleyball team swept Lynnwood 3-0 Tuesday, Sept. 18, but win was not a cakewalk for the Wildcats.
Oak Harbor won 25-22, 25-16, 25-22. The Wildcats finished the second game with a spurt; it was the only time either team led by more than four points during the match.
Three Oak Harbor varsity players were out with injuries, forcing coach Kerri Molitor to call up several youngsters from the junior varsity.
“I don’t know if I ever started two freshmen before,” Molitor, who has coached more than 20 years, said. “Our program was prepared for this; we seamlessly moved kids up.”
The two freshmen, Payton Parks and Alexis San Angelo, anchored the middle of the net for the Wildcats, and each recorded a block.
San Angelo had only a half of a practice with the varsity before getting the start, Molitor said.
Sophomore Gredina DeGuzman, one of the call-ups, produced five digs.
While the youngsters helped out, seniors Cami Bristow, a three-year letter winner, and Leah Quidachay, a transfer, guided the Wildcats with strong all-around performances. Bristow finished with 13 kills, two aces, 10 digs and a block; and Quidachay added 25 assists, two aces, six digs and a block.
Sophomore Morgan Pease was also solid with 11 kills, two aces and eight digs.
Senior libero Ceirra Dean protected the back line with 12 digs.
“This is a very young team,” Molitor said. “They are doing well, learning all the time.”
Another factor in the win, according to Molitor, was the fan support.
“The crowd was amazing,” she said.
Lynnwood led most of the first set. The Royals were up 19-15, then a kill and ace by Pease turned the momentum Oak Harbor’s way. A kill by Bristow, a tip by Pease and two aces from Quidachay helped the Wildcats secure the win.
The second set was tight until the end when Oak Harbor finished on an 8-2 run.
The Wildcats held a slight lead most of the third game, but the Royals rallied to go up 17-16. The set was tied at 22, then three Lynnwood mistakes doomed the Royals.
Oak Harbor (4-0) is one of four Wesco teams still unbeaten after two weeks of league matches.
The Wildcats go to Edmonds-Woodway (1-2) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20.
Leah Quidachay stuffs a Lynnwood hit. (Photo by John Fisken)
