For the first time in 13 years, the Timberline volleyball team is a league champion.
The Blazers swept Peninsula 25-21, 25-18, 25-19, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, on their senior night and are one win away from an undefeated regular season.
Timberline honored its seven seniors — Leia Dela Cruz, Miya Jackson, Kinley Smith, Jovie Lind, Lilly Grant, Islee Rebelez and Emyah Riley.
“Senior night was definitely an emotional one. You could feel it from the very beginning as our seniors worked through the emotions of knowing it was their final match on their home court,” Timberline head coach Matt Monnastes said. “There were a lot of tears, a lot of memories and a lot to take in.”
Monnastes praised the Blazers for battling through their emotions in a challenging first set against Peninsula.
Jackson led the Blazers with 11 kills on her senior night and added nine digs, while Grant tallied seven kills and six digs, along with two blocks. Smith posted eight kills and nine digs, and Lind and Rebelez combined for 27 digs.
“At the end of the day, senior night is about so much more than volleyball,” Monnastes said. “These seniors have poured so much into this program, and I think the emotions of the evening just showed how much being a Timberline Blazer means to them. I’m proud of how they handled the moment, found a way to win, and closed out their final home match together. Now, our focus shifts to the postseason, and this group is hungry for what’s ahead.”
Timberline (15-0, 10-0 Puget Sound League) can close out its undefeated regular season with a win at River Ridge (2-15, 1-9 PSL) on Thursday, Nov. 5.
