Titans fight in third set to 28-30

CENTRALIA, Wash. — Centralia College defeated Tacoma Community College (16-15, 3-5) in straight sets on Wednesday, with scores of 25-16, 25-20, 30-28, at Centralia College. The Titans recorded a total of 21 kills and 20 assists in the match.

Tacoma began the first set with a service ace from Mircea Campos, taking an early lead. Leilah Lemalu, supported by Kylee Harris, contributed with a timely kill to keep the Titans competitive. However, Centralia responded with a series of points, including a kill by Paige Miller and a service ace from Tiare Lopez, shifting the momentum in their favor.

Despite efforts from Mykah Curtis, who recorded a kill assisted by Harris, the Titans faced challenges due to attack errors and Centralia's effective serves. Centralia extended their lead with consistent scoring, capitalizing on service aces and attack errors to widen the gap.

The set concluded with Tacoma trailing, as Centralia's serving run, including back-to-back aces from Meleseini Hutchings, solidified their position. The Titans closed the set with a block by Irish Wilkison and Rasheeda Gordon, but Centralia secured the first set 25-16.

In the second set, Tacoma's initial momentum was marked by an early kill from Lemalu, assisted by Harris, putting them on the scoreboard first. Centralia responded with a series of points, including service aces by Avery Starr, which shifted the momentum in their favor. Tacoma managed to find gaps with Emilia Linden's multiple kills, supported by Harris, keeping them competitive.

Despite the Titans' efforts, Centralia gained a significant advantage with a run of points, including multiple successful plays by Abcde Rogers and Jada Whitmore. While Tacoma attempted to close the gap with contributions from Lemalu and Gordon, Centralia maintained their lead. The set concluded with Centralia ahead, closing out with a 25-20 score.

In the third set, Tacoma faced an early 4-0 deficit before Curtis kickstarted a comeback with a service ace. The Titans then found momentum with kills from Linden and Lemalu, leveling the score at 6-6 behind a series of points, including two service aces by Kelli English.

The Titans briefly took an 8-6 lead, continuing to gain points with a balanced effort from the squad, including a critical kill by Wilkison. Despite maintaining a lead through much of the set, Centralia surged back with Hutchings leading their attack, drawing them even and pushing the set into extended play.

Both teams exchanged leads late, with Tacoma benefiting from a crucial kill by Lemalu. However, Centralia edged out a narrow 30-28 victory with decisive kills by Ava Shiflett and Hutchings.

Lemalu led Tacoma with nine kills on 21 attempts, contributing a total of 9.0 points. Harris facilitated the offense with 17 assists and also added a solo block and an assisted block. English was effective from the service line, recording three aces and seven digs. Curtis contributed across the board with three kills, four digs, and one ace.

Hutchings led Centralia with a strong performance, tallying nine kills on 17 attempts with a .412 hitting percentage and contributing two service aces. Rogers was efficient with six kills on seven attempts, achieving a .714 hitting percentage. Starr facilitated the offense, recording 24 assists, while also adding three service aces and two block assists. Whitmore provided a defensive presence with one solo block and three block assists, alongside five kills and a .333 hitting percentage.

The Titans hold an overall record of 16-15 and a conference record of 3-5. Centralia has an overall record of 19-7 and stands at 8-1 in conference play.

Go Titans!