Medical Lake refuses to lose, defeats Reardan

MEDICAL LAKE—The Cardinals defeated the Reardan Screaming Eagles on Oct. 8 in a five-set, non-league volleyball match that took fans on an emotional roller coaster ride.

The 1A Cardinals sported a front-line superior in height to the 2B Screaming Eagles, which they used to their advantage, winning the hard-fought match. The victory improved the Cardinals record to 4-9 overall and 4-6 in the Northeast 1A League. Reardan dropped to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in the Northeast 2B League.

The Cardinals dominated the first set, winning 25-17. It appeared their intention was to send the Screaming Eagles on an early bus ride home. That was not to be. Behind the play of Emma Flaa and Coalie Whitman, Reardan’s offense came alive, resulting in a second set, 20-25 win. In the third set, the Cardinals’ dynamic duo, Tessa Apple and Chiche Okemgbo, controlled the net, both offensively and defensively, leading to a 25-19 win.

Again, the Screaming Eagles responded. In the fourth set, Liz Bell and Justine Flett anchored a defense that kept the Cardinals from closing out the match. The 25-22 win tied the match at 2-2, setting the stage for what would be a thrilling decisive set.

Reardan started off fast. After taking a 13-6 lead, it appeared they would cruise to victory. The Cardinals resolve showed as they began to pound the Screaming Eagles with kill shots. A barrage of nine straight points sealed the win for the home team, 15-13.

For the Cardinals, Rylie Spring recorded 14 kills and 19 digs. Okemgbo dominated the net with 11 kills and nine blocks, and Zoe Wilson chipped in with 17 assists and 12 digs. 

Flaa led the Screaming Eagles with 12 kills. Whitman contributed 17 assists and six aces. Bell and Flett were each credited with 18 digs.

After the game, Cardinals coach Hailey Van Soest said, “The difference in this game is that our girls showed they wanted it.” 

Van Soest praised her team’s growth and commended them for “showing up” for the entire match.

Cardinals senior Marin McKee feels her team is on track to string more wins together. 

“After this win I think our mojo is going to carry us through the rest of the season,” McKee said. 

Reardan coach Amber Whitman lamented the nine points her team allowed in the closing minutes of the match.

“It was a tough loss, but hopefully we can learn something from it and continue to get stronger,” Whitman said.