There were smiles all around after the host Oak Harbor High School volleyball team defeated Glacier Peak 3-0 Monday, Oct. 25.
The win was an enjoyable end to Senior Night for Oak Harbor’s seven 12th grades, it pushed the Wildcats into the lead of the Wesco 3A North standings and it guaranteed that Oak Harbor would play at home the first two rounds of the district tournament.
If the Wildcats (6-3, 9-4) want to hold onto the top spot in the North, it will have to win at Everett (5-4, 8-5) Wednesday in the final regular season match. The Seagulls dumped Oak Harbor earlier this season, and another win over the ‘Cats would give Everett the tie-breaker when determining seeding for the district tournament.
District starts Wednesday, Nov. 3, in Oak Harbor and Glacier Peak.
In the win over Glacier Peak 25-20, 25-16, 25-21, Oak Harbor trailed just once (after the match’s first point) but was never comfortable as the Grizzlies stayed within striking distance throughout the night.
Oak Harbor’s consistent offense and steady defense were the difference as the sporadic Grizzlies couldn’t find any offensive rhythm. Glacier Peak committed 21 hitting errors, nine coming in the first game and setting the tone for the match.
The Wildcats went on a 13-7 run in the middle of game one to take a 22-14 lead and then withstood a late GP surge.
Roshel Muzzall’s two aces and kill and Kristine Bouchard’s two kills highlighted the ‘Cat run.
Game two was tight until Oak Harbor closed out the set on an 8-3 run led by Janessa Ramos’ two kills.
Three kills by Amanda Blau helped Oak Harbor build a 21-14 lead in game three, but the Grizzlies rallied to within two, 23-21, before Bouchard’s kill helped secure the win.
Ramos headed the Oak Harbor attack with five kills on the night, and Jordan Faralan added 17 assists and four kills.
Oak Harbor coach Kerri Molitor was pleased with how her team handled the distractions of Senior Night and was looking forward to the Everett match. She said, “It’s a tough place to play. Our defense is consistent; if we can cut down on our hitting and service errors we will be okay.”
