McClain volleyball defeats Washington in 5 sets

The McClain varsity volleyball team picked up a big Frontier Athletic Conference victory over Washington on their home floor Thursday night, and it took the full five sets to get it done.

McClain looked like they might win game one easily after jumping out to an early 16-10 advantage and continued to lead until Washington rallied late, tying the score at 23-23. WHS notched the final two points of the set, and the Lady Blue Lions won, 25-23.

“I think we get ahead sometimes and seem to get too comfortable,” McClain head coach Taylor Alsop said. “So we’re trying to figure out how not to get too comfortable and how to finish strong.”

The Lady Tigers came out in the second set and were very determined and fired up and led from start to finish, posting a convincing 25-13 win to tie the match at one game apiece.

Game three was another close and competitive set that saw McClain hold on for a 25-19 win and take a 2-1 advantage in the match.

In the fourth game of the night, Washington led early but the Lady Tigers came back to lead in the middle before the Lady Blue Lions prevailed in another close one, 25-22, tying the match again at two games each.

McClain was victorious in the fifth and final game of the match by posting a hard-fought and exciting 15-13 victory.  The Lady Tigers led from start to finish, but Washington rallied to tie the game three times before falling at the end.

“I’m proud of the way my girls came back and finished strong, especially the way they came out in the second set,” Alsop said. “That’s not normally what’s been happening for us.

“I usually don’t single out kids, but tonight Brenna Wright deserves the spotlight. She was amazing at the net for us, starting strong and never letting up. She was putting the ball where we needed it to go, and I think all of our hitters did a great job at the net.

“Lily Barnes also did a great job of putting the ball where our hitters needed it to be, and Leah Lovett, who hasn’t played a lot for us this year, came in and was a huge force for us serving, which is something we’ve needed,” continued Alsop. “Leah is one of those kids who will do whatever you need them to do.”

Coach Alsop also had lots of praise for the Lady Blue Lions’ effort: “Washington is a tough team that played really well tonight, and once they get everything together – watch out.”

McClain’s next game is at home Tuesday, Sept. 19 when they host league and county rival Hillsboro.