Blaine volleyball improves in loss to Sehome

by Ian Ferguson

Although the Blaine girls volleyball team lost in three sets to undefeated Sehome, head coach Bryan Clausen said he took many positives away from the loss.

The sets went 25–17, 25–14, 25–15 in the Northwest Conference (NWC) matchup at Sehome October 14. Blaine’s Mikayla Deming had 10 kills and 14 digs, Elle Moore had 10 digs and three kills and Kjirstin Larsen had four blocks.

“The girls played really well, but they were up against a really strong team,” Clausen said.

Sehome’s girls volleyball team is undefeated this season, with 10 wins overall and eight NWC wins. Seven of their wins this season have come in the form of three-set shutouts.

“Sehome is playing tough volleyball. They are a very good passing team, they move to the ball well and they communicate with each other very well,” Clausen said. “They have experience, and it shows.”

Up against a strong team of veteran players, the Borderites were able to hold their own for the first half of each set, but the Mariners proved to be more consistent.

In each set, Blaine stayed even with the Mariners until midway through. Once the teams reached 10 points, the Mariners pulled away.

“Our girls passed well, and we only missed two serves the entire match,” Clausen said. “So we’re really improving week to week. Going up against a team like Sehome, that’s a team we want to emulate and I think we’re moving in that direction.”

Blaine’s schedule doesn’t get any easier this week; Lynden Christian is also undefeated and the Borderites will travel to Lynden Christian on Thursday, October 16.

“This is definitely a tough conference,” Clausen said.

With the loss, Blaine falls to 2–5 in the NWC and 4–5 overall. In practice this week, the Borderites are working on reading the set, blocking and transitioning to defense.

After Lynden Christian, the Borderites will take on Anacortes at home on Tuesday, October 21. Both matchups are NWC games, and both start at 7 p.m.