Naselle volleyball suffers first loss

The Naselle girls volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season Monday in Pe Ell, being swept in three sets (24-26, 26-28, 20-25) by the Trojans. Jessie Smith led the team in assists with 22, while Haylee Rose had eight kills to lead the Comets in the loss. Rose, along with Mylee Dunagan, led the team in aces with three each. Dunagan also had seven kills and, along with Rose and Kaitlyn Steenerson, had a block each. Sophia Colombo led the team with 12 digs, while Steenerson added six kills and five digs. "Pe Ell is a tough place to play and they have improved so much from last season," said Head Coach Rebekah Wirkkala. "Our main outside hitter, Brooke Davis, [being] unable to play in most of the match made it difficult to regroup without their leader. A Monday game, after spirit week and the homecoming dance on Saturday is a lot. Our team will learn from this, bounce back, and be stronger." Davis was recently named the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) athlete of the week.

Monday's loss followed a comeback win by the Comets last Thursday at home against Ocosta. Falling 25-27 in the opening set, Naselle was able to come back with wins in three straight sets (25-14, 25-10, 25-17). Brooke Davis and Smith led the team in aces with seven each, while Smith had 20 assists to lead the way. Davis has 10 digs as well, and Rose led the team in kills with 11. Colombo managed 12 digs, while Maddie Dielman added nine assists and Emma Kragerud managed seven kills in the victory. “The girls started a bit rough, but then gained the momentum and did their job, sweeping the next three sets," said Wirkkala. "Their teamwork and communication, from the bench to the court, is such a joy to be a part of.”

The Comets (6-1) hosted Lake Quinault on Tuesday, Sept 30, but the results were not available at the time of press. The comets travel to Taholah Thursday before returning home Monday, Oct. 6 to take on the Wahkiakum Mules at 7 p.m. The girls will then host Wishkah Valley Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.