Medical Lake volleyball remains a longshot for NEA postseason

Needing a win to close on a playoff berth, the Medical Lake High School volleyball team got it.

Ending a five-match losing streak, the Cardinals earned a nail-biting 3-2 match win over Newport on Oct. 9 to begin a pivotal week of Northeast A League play that ended with a split as they lost a 3-2 decision to Riverside. The week concluded with a 3-1 nonleague win over Greater Spokane League Rogers.

“This was a week of battles for the girls,” head coach Todd Harr wrote in an email. “Playing in two five set league matches will take a toll on any player.”

In the Newport win, Medical Lake rallied from a 2-1 deficit to win the final two sets, 25-22 and 15-9. Against Riverside, it was a similar outcome where after losing the first two sets by identical 25-23 scores, Medical Lake won the next two 25-19 and 25-17 before dropping the fifth set 15-10.

“Our offense and defense is coming together at the right time and we are clicking,” Harr said.

Megan Goertz tallied double digit assists in all three matches having 30 assists against Rogers, 44 against Riverside and 35 against Newport. Courtney Daylo had a strong defensive effort notching 20 digs at Rogers, 25 against Riverside and 22 more vs. Newport.

“Getting a big win against Newport helps keep our playoff hopes alive, while a tough loss to Riverside means we will have to gain at least one more league win to make it into the playoffs,” Harr said.

That effort, which closes out the regular season, began at Colville Oct. 16 and closes tonight (Oct. 18) at home for senior night against Deer Park at 6:30 p.m.

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].