U-Hi sweeps Mead

University’s volleyball team has regularly charted untested waters over the past three seasons and Tuesday night was no exception.

But this one, a 25-20, 25-15, 25-14 schooling of host Mead in a match between Greater Spokane League undefeated teams, defied even the Titans’ expectations.

“We were expecting to go five,” said U-Hi senior middle blocker Kristina Kielbon. “We were expecting it to be a battle and came out with everything we had. I’m just absolutely amazed we did it in three games.”

The sweep came against the defending State 4A champions, a team which had won its last 27 GSL matches.

Until three years ago U-Hi was scrapping to win a match or two a year. Then, in successive seasons, the school qualified for its first regional tournament, made its first state trip, and now stands alone atop the GSL, at 8-0 the league’s last unbeaten team.

It was, coach Amanda Velasquez agreed, the biggest victory in U-Hi’s volleyball history.

“It totally is,” she said. “At least in my coaching career, this is the biggest.”

The Titans’ recipe for success was the same as it has been all year: incessant pressure at the net by an experienced quartet, backed by a supporting crew. The Titans tend to make good teams look bad by forcing them into uncharacteristic mistakes.

Except for a four-point moment in game three, after trailing 12-5, the Panthers (7-1) could never muster a consistent attack. U-Hi had 13 blocks for points and at least that many more points came on balls the Titans dug up to keep the ball in play after Mead kill attempts.

“We’ve been working on our blocking,” said Kielbon. “Knowing they are big hitters, we were definitely focused.”

Mead led a back-and-forth first game 10-6 before Mandy Daniels got untracked with five kills that put U-Hi ahead 15-14. Three Panthers mistakes made it 18-15, and the Titans finished it off with two kills apiece by Daniels and Daidre Mendenhall, who added a stuff block.

The Titans shot to a 6-1 lead in the middle game. Mead rallied to within one point, then Kielbon and setter Kara Crisp put on a blocking clinic in the middle that shot the visitors to a 14-6 lead. From there it was a matter of finishing the job. Daniels had three more kills down the stretch to help.

U-Hi jumped ahead 5-1 in the clincher and never trailed. Mead, after its four-point rally, made three consecutive hitting errors and Jillian Wilson served six consecutive points, including two of her three aces, that put U-Hi in command, 22-10.

“It’s a little overwhelming,” said Mendenhall, a three-year starter and major part of her team’s front-row dominance. “We wanted it so bad as a team and we prepared so well. You could see it on everybody’s faces.”

Velasquez said the team worked hard this week shoring up areas of weakness, both back-row defense and block timing at the net. She said she’d never seen her team more focused than it was in warm-ups.

The payoff was evident as the Titans made few errors, received major front-row contributions from six players and typical all-around play by Daniels, who had 16 kills and 22 digs.

“I don’t know what comes first,” said Mendenhall, “making it to state (last year) or beating Mead. It’s so awesome.”

U-Hi’s surprising sweep was one of seven during GSL competition.

Lewis and Clark (7-1) defeated visiting Clarkston 25-7, 25-6, 25-8, getting a typically strong all-around performance from Ivy Bush and statistical contributions by sophomores Hannah Zimmerman, Erica Ehlo and junior setter Allison Moran. Stephanie Ogden led Clarkson (1-7) in three statistical categories. … Mt. Spokane (7-1), U-Hi’s opponent on Thursday, topped host Rogers 25-16, 25-19, 25-16. The Pirates (1-7) led game two 17-14 before Krista Aspaas served three consecutive points for the Wildcats. Kylie McKinlay and Katrina Johnson shared kills honors and Janie Rasmussen had 10 digs for the victors. Brittani Scott led Rogers in kills and blocks. … Visiting Shadle Park (6-2) swept West Valley 25-11, 25-16, 25-18. Shadle’s Allison Bjerkestrand had nine kills and five blocks. Junior Mel Dossey led the Eagles (1-7) in kills and blocks. … Ferris (5-3) won at North Central 25-14, 25-17, 25-13. Miranda Gouin had 32 assists, Sheridan Brett 12 kills and Kasey Blevins 13 digs for the Saxons. Felicia Kinder and Whitney Buck were front-row mainstays for the Indians (4-4). … Host Gonzaga Prep (5-3) beat Central Valley 25-19, 25-12, 26-24. G-Prep’s Kelly Mastor had nine kills and four blocks. Setter Samantha Kern paced the Bears (2-6) in assists and service aces. … At Cheney, East Valley won its first league match, 25-22, 25-17, 25-22. Rachel Bonertz had 10 kills and shared the digs lead with Angie Smith for EV. Heather Hunley led Cheney in service aces and blocks.