MEDICAL LAKE — Head coach Todd Harr has been saying it all season long: they’re improving. On Tuesday, Oct. 15 the Medical Lake girls’ volleyball walked that talk when they beat the visiting Newport Grizzlies (2-7,4-8) 3-1 in four sets 25-21, 16-25, 25-22, 25-10 in their first Northeast A League victory of the season.
‘The win versus Newport definitely lifted a chip off the shoulder for this program,” Harr said. “Many of the younger players were able to play loose and live in the moment.”
Sophomore Amblessed Okemgbo took over the match in the third and fourth sets, controlling the net both defensively and offensively, while sophomore Grace Stimson had a school record 39 digs.
“Two of her digs, almost back to back, were the best I have seen since taking over at Medical Lake,” Harr said.
But the Cardinals couldn’t repeat their Tuesday magic the next Thursday, Oct. 17 on the road at Riverside (5-5,7-6) when they lost in three straight sets 17-25, 15-25, 14-25 when they “ran into a team playing well and peaking at the right moment,” Harr said.
The Cardinals had to backfill positions due to multiple injuries as they advanced into the final week of the regular season and a long-shot chance at a playoff berth.
“Our focus is taking it one day at a time and being prepared for our two matches coming up this week,” Harr said, noting that with a full-team effort it was something his team could pull off.
As of press time the Cardinals, holding the bottom position at 1-8 in Northeast A League plan and 2-13 overall, were scheduled to face the third-seed Colville Indians (6-3, 8-4) at home on Tuesday, Oct. 22, before their final regular season match on the road against the Deer Park Stags (2-7,5-8) on Thursday.
Lee Hughes can be reached at lee@cheneyfreepress.com.
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