High school volleyball

Timberline 3, North Thurston 2 (23-25, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24, 16-14)
Bellarmine 3, Olympia 1 (25-27, 25-13, 25-16, 25-11)
Yelm 3, River Ridge 0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-16)

The big game between 3A Narrows League rivals did not disappoint in any aspect. In front of large and loud student sections from both schools, Timberline fell behind two sets early but rallied to win the final three sets to knock off North Thurston and take first place in league all to themselves

Four of the five sets were exciting, back and forth affairs. In the fourth set, after trading points to get to 6-6, the Rams scored six straight points to push their lead to 12-6. But the Blazers cut the lead to 13-12 and the two teams again traded points and were tied 20-20. The Rams scored the next three points and had a match point at 24-23, but the Blazers scored the final three points to win the set and force a fifth and deciding set. Watch the last point of the fourth set, a long rally, and the Timberline students celebration…

 
North Thurston jumped out to an early lead in the fifth set and led 8-6. But Timberline fought off a couple match points and finally finished off the fifth set 16-14 to take a 3-2 win and remain undefeated in the 3A Narrows League and set off this celebration (sadly, my phone died in the middle…)

 
Riley Podowicz led the Blazers with 23 kills, 10 digs, 8 aces and 7 blocks while Hunter Manke had 48 assists and Halie Snaza added 33 digs.

In the other big volleyball game in town tonight, Olympia battled with Bellarmine to win the first set 27-25. But after that, it was all Lions. Bellarmine easily won the next three sets to remain undefeated in the 4A Narrows League. Olympia dropped to 4-2 in league. Rachel Kelson had 10 kills and Kayla Thaller added 25 assists for the Bears in the loss.

Men’s soccer

Clark 5, SPSCC 1 – Box score

NWAACC scoring leader Borce Atanasov scored in the third minute, the fifth minute and the 22nd minute to lead the Clark Penguins to an easy victory over winless South Puget Sound. Atanasov now has 14 goals in nine games this season. Alicides Thomas scored his eighth goal of the season for the Penguins in the 15th minute and added an assist on Atanasov’s third goal.

Kyle Ballard got the Clippers on the board in the 61st minute. It was just the Clippers sixth goal of the season in their 0-9 start.

Puget Sound Collegiate League fall baseball

Shelton 4, Capital 2 – Winning pitcher: Mitch Johnson
Timberline 4, Yelm 2 – Winning pitcher: Ty Carlton