Stanwood prevailed in a thrilling 3-2 volleyball match at Oak Harbor High School Thursday, Sept. 8.

The 4A Spartans (1-0) won the nonleague match 25-11, 17-25, 25-21, 32-34, 15-11 to even the 3A Wildcats’ record at 1-1.

Stanwood cruised to a win in the first game thanks to a 10-1 run in the middle of the set. Then it was Oak Harbor’s turn to have an easy time of it as it jumped to a 12-4 lead in the second game behind two kills each by Kayleigh Harper and Roshel Muzzall.

In game three, the Spartans finished on a 13-6 run to overcome a 15-12 Oak Harbor lead.

Oak Harbor lived to play a fifth game with nail-biting win in the marathon fourth game. Neither team led by more than two until Stanwood went up 22-19. Kills by Ally McGuire and Harper and a stuff block by Harper and Muzzall helped the Wildcats tie it at 23.

From there, both teams had numerous chances to take the win but couldn’t get the elusive two-point lead until Harper and Muzzall provided kills for the final two points.

Stanwood slowly pulled away in game five with the help of several Oak Harbor hitting and service errors.

Harper collected 20 kills in the match, and Muzzall added 12 kills and three aces. Janine DeGuzman had seven kills and Taylor Nienhuis 44 assists. Christina Alexander recorded 34 digs.

The Wildcats go to Yakima Saturday, Sept. 10, for the SunDome Tournament, then travel to Lake Stevens (0-1) for a nonleague match Thursday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m.