Volleyball: Riders edge Wolves in tiebreaker … again

Different gymnasium, same result.

Port Angeles found just enough left in the tank to edge Sequim in a fifth set tiebreaker last week, winning the fifth 15-10 in Sequim’s Rick Kaps Gymnasium on Oct. 8.

“We knew this would be a battle and would have to play well, Sequim coach Jennie Webber Heilman said.

Sequim got solid serving — missing just eight of 106 serves (92 percent) and tallying 15 aces — by Port Angeles junior defensive specialist Emma Olsen had a key service run during the fifth and final game to close it out.

Sequim hitter Kiana Robideau had a team-high 17 kills and paced the offense with 28 digs. She had six kills and in key third game that helped SHS rebound from 27-25 and 25-20 losses in game one and two. Behind Robideau and a nine-point serving run from Kalli Wiker, Sequim topped Port Angeles 25-15 in game three.

Jordan Hegtvedt led Sequim with an 11-point serving run in game four leading to another 25-15 Sequim win, but the Wolves “shut down” in game five, Webber Heilman said.

“We were struggling to pass which also affected our offense,” she said.

Hegtvedt, Robideau and McKenna Hastings combined to go 67-for-69 in serves and 13 aces.

Wiker had 23 assists and Kendall Hastings added four blocks.

Kennedy Bruch had a big game for Port Angeles with 10 kills and 28 digs while Rider teammate McKenzie Musalek added seven kills and 21 digs.

Port Angeles also beat Sequim in five games on Sept. 12.

KO-ing the Knights

Sequim rebounded with their second league win of the season, a three-set rout of Bremerton on the road on Oct. 10.

Robideau had 11 kills and Hastings had 10 in the three-game sweep (25-18, 25-21, 25-23).

“Our goal was to beat them in three like we did earlier in the season (on Sept. 17),” Webber Heilman said.

Wiker was 20-for-20 in serves and had 25 assists, distributing to seven different Wolves for kills.

The Sequim coach credited Wiker, McKenna Hastings and Jessica Asselin with great defensive plays.

Sequim takes non-leaguer

The Wolves traveled north for a non-league game against Blaine and came away with a five-game win.

Sequim edged the Borderites 22-25, 23-25, 25-15, 25-19 and 15-7.

Robideau and Kendall Hastings had 10 kills each while Wiker had 25 assists. Robideau had a solid all-around game with four blocks and 22 kills, both team-highs.

Amanda Weller paced the offense from the service line, going 25-for-25 with five of the team’s 12 aces.

Sequim serves 94-of-101 overall.

“Kiana and Jessica were making a great effort on defense.

Malorey Morey, recently (and officially) added to the varsity roster, chipped in with three kills and two blocks, Webber Heilman added.

“After playing in five five-game matches we finally won the fifth game; the girls were very excited,” she said.

Blaine’s varsity squad is led by Jacquie Smith, whom Webber Heilman noted was a Sequim High volleyball player when Webber Heilman started coaching 30 years ago.

Looking ahead

Sequim was scheduled to host Olympic on Oct. 15 — results were not available at press time. The Trojans edged the Wolves 3-2 on Sept. 19.

The Wolves are at North Kitsap on Oct. 17 and play at the Capitol City Invite in Olympia on Oct. 19.

Sequim hosts its final home match of the season on Oct. 24 against North Mason, and cap the regular season on the road on Oct. 29 in Kingston.

Kiana Robideau of Sequim, right, looks for a point as Port Angeles’ Zoe Smithson defends. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Kiana Robideau of Sequim, right, looks for a point as Port Angeles’ Zoe Smithson defends. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Sequim’s Kalli Wiker, left, and McKenna Hastings look to block a hit from Port Angeles’ Emi Halberg. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Sequim’s Kalli Wiker, left, and McKenna Hastings look to block a hit from Port Angeles’ Emi Halberg. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Sequim’s McKenna Hastings, left, and Liz Daigle look to block a hit from Port Angeles Jaida Wood. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Sequim’s McKenna Hastings, left, and Liz Daigle look to block a hit from Port Angeles Jaida Wood. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell