3A Prep Volleyball: Kelso survives Day 1 of bi-District Tournament

On the Ropes — Hilanders drop first match to Capital, rebound with sweep over Kentlake

Kelso junior Brooke Hefley and Kelso senior Emily Roe block a hit in a 3A West Central/Southwest Bi-District Tournament volleyball game on Friday, Nov. 15, at Mount Tahoma High School. Kelso won 3-0 over Kentlake to extend their season. — Joshua Hart / For Blast Zone Media

Jordan Nailon / blastzonenews@gmail.com

TACOMA — The Kelso volleyball team was able to fend off elimination, Friday, by splitting the results in the opening rounds of the 3A bi-District 3/4 Volleyball Tournament at Mount Tahoma High School.

After being swept in three sets by Capital to open the tournament, the Hilanders responded with a sweep of their own over Kentlake in a loser-out contest in the evening. Kelso took that do-or-die match by scores of 25-17, 25-12, and 25-14.

Halle Johnson orchestrated the Kelso offense all day long, including 21 assists and four digs against Kentlake. Josie McNew added 11 kills and seven digs in limited rotations, and royal Grafton added 10 kills to go with seven digs.

“Our seniors stepped it up because they’re realizing this is it, so they’re playing with heart,” Kelso coach Michelle Mury said. “I think the reality is coming to them so it’s great to see them step up.”