Mules start league VB with two losses

The Wahkiakum Mules Volleyball team lost two matches this week, bringing their record to 0-2 in league and 5-2 overall.

Central League play began at home last Thursday and Napavine handed the Mules their first loss of the season in four sets, 20-25, 24-26, 25-17, and 17-25.

It was also the first time Wahkiakum has run into any real competition this year, and play was close all evening.

"It was a good match overall with some great volleyball happening," Coach Kayli Hurley said. "We just didn't control the ball on our side quite like we needed to. Our serve receive was pretty spectacular with Savannah Burdick, Tyra Elliott, Makenzie Anderson and Kennedi LaBerge holding strong on passing the entire match. Defensively we played pretty well too. Napavine has a few great hitters and we were making some great digs throughout the night. We struggled to get a consistent offensive rhythm and it showed on the scoreboard."

Coach Hurley singled out several players. Anderson and LaBerge had nine kills each. Grace Peacock and Macie Elliott added five more apiece. Burdick had 14 digs. Hurley also praised Peyton Souvenir for her good work at the net. Souvenir, a setter, had four "strong" kills and 29 assists.

On Tuesday the team traveled to Toutle Lake to play the Ducks and lost in three sets, 20-25, 17-25, and 18-25.

Coach Hurley praised Burdick and T. Elliott. Both had "strong serve receive" and were 100 percent from the serving line. She also praised Anderson, who had eight kills and "strong serve receive and Souvenir who had 24 assists and a couple kills."

The team travels to Toledo today (Thursday).