Mount Si volleyball rolls into second half strong

Published 8:29 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

SNOQUALMIE – Mount Si senior Marissa Hill celebrated her 18th birthday Sept. 27 by picking up 19 kills, eight digs and three service aces in a home-court volleyball upset of Mercer Island High School.

“It’s a great birthday present, what can I say?” said Hill, as the Wildcats swept Mercer Island in three games (26-24, 25-19, and 25-23) for a much-needed win against a solid Kingco opponent.

A “nasty virus” forced the Islanders’ best defensive player, Callie Webster, to sit out the match, according to Mercer Island coach Dino Annest.

Mount Si coach Bonnie Foote applauded her team’s effort.

“[The team] started off a little rocky in the first game and got their composure down and our goal tonight was to win the serving and the serve-receive battle,” Foote said.

The efforts of senior Ashley Svarthumle also helped in the win.

“We just came in focused and we really wanted to beat them. We just came as a team and got the job done,” Svarthumle said.

Game one was close throughout, with the Wildcats finishing things off when Mercer Island’s return attempt fell short. The second game was no different, but again Mount Si got the job done with a Svarthumle kill to win the game. Mount Si took game three and the match.

The Wildcats opened the second half of the schedule with a win over the Bellevue Wolverines last Wednesday in Bellevue.

The four-game win (23-25, 25-29, 25-23 and 25-21) clinched a season sweep for Mount Si against the Wolverines.

Last Friday the Wildcats played host to Sammamish, and unlike their previous meeting with the Totems, in which Mount Si had to rally from behind two games to pick up the match victory in five, there wasn’t a lot of suspense. The Wildcats took care of Sammamish in three games, clinching a season sweep of the Totems, as well.

Game one was no contest, as Mount Si dominated play, cruising to a 25-10 win. Games two and three were a lot closer, but the Wildcats came through when they needed to and scored a pair of 25-23 decisions to win both of the games, and the match.

Senior Emilie Aaltonen said a large part of the match was devoted to Foote giving the younger players a chance to show their worth and working with several combinations that worked well.

“We just still need to get everyone comfortable at the positions they’re playing,” said Aaltonen.

Team unity is becoming a key to success, according to Hill.

“I think we’re really coming together as a team, and I think our fans can see it out on the court. I can see it on the court. We’re just coming together and we’re playing well,” said Hill.

The Wildcats are on the road this week. They will return home Oct. 13 to play the Newport Knights. Since that game will be the final home game of the regular season, it will be Senior Night, when the team’s six seniors, Aaltonen, Svarthumle, Hill, Maggie Kujath, Gina Zanella and Emily White, will be honored. Game time is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.