PUYALLUP - Strong opening statements against a formidable foe evaporated into weak closing arguments for the Evergreen Lutheran volleyball team in a losing verdict on Saturday, November 1, at the Four Seasons Center at Chief Leschi High School.

Overcoming sizeable deficits in each game, the Rainier Christian Mustangs galloped away from the Eagles in three games to annex their third consecutive SeaTac 2B league championship.

“Our plan was to put pressure on them,” explained Eagle head coach Chris Poetter. “We were unable to do it consistently. The girls were passing and getting hits before we lost control. Our hats are off to coach Amy (Magley) and Rainier Christian. We needed to stand up on defense and pick it up. Mariah McHolland was outstanding for them in game one. Each game was winnable.”

Evergreen Lutheran attacked aggressively from the outset, putting Rainier Christian on its heels. Emily Elhard’s two-hand twisting shot preceded a Caty Poetter ace in a 4-0 opening salvo. The Eagles continued successfully serving and passing for Melanie Laete to pound down kills as the lead mounted to 7-2.

Fine serving and a Mariah McHolland-led front line sparked a 6-1 Mustang movement that tied the game at 8-8. Serving sustained Evergreen Lutheran for its own 6-1 surge. Defense continued to deliver the damage against Rainier Christian. Evergreen Lutheran sustained its aggression to control the game at 18-11.

Poised on the precipice of defeat, the Mustangs relied on their resoluteness to rally back. Following a side out, Rainier Christian captain Mariah McHolland dropped in two consecutive service aces. McHolland’s deadly mixture of jump serves devastated the Eagle defense. If a serve was returned, the hits were short, leaving set ups for Whitney Hronek and other Mustang hitters to spike away.

Thirteen consecutive Rainier Christian points singed the scoreboard before Evergeen Lutheran gained side out with the Mustangs ahead, 24-19. An errant serve left RCS with a remarkable 25-19 victory. McHolland served eight aces in the game.

The second game developed into an exchange of scoring runs. Each evenly matched squad stayed close with RCS maintaining slim leads until establishing six-point leads on three different occasions.

Trailing 20-14, Evergreen Lutheran’s Erika Herman pounded a kill to start a 3-0 Eagle surge before McHolland’s smash set up a Mustang point. Caty Poetter’s serving supremacy and the hitting of Katherine Tacke, Herman, and Elhard gave Evergreen Lutheran a 22-21 edge. Rainier Christian regrouped to run off four consecutive points for the win.

Similar patterns surfaced in the third game. Trailing 16-15, Evergreen Lutheran rallied behind Tacke’s serve. Melanie Laete blocked effectively while the Eagles flew away to a 21-16 advantage. The Eagle reached game point at 24-20, but McHolland’s blocking keyed a 4-0 Mustang comeback.

Tied at 26-26, Hronek delivered a kill ahead of an EL hitting error to seal the verdict.

The well-represented Rainier Christian Schools contingent erupted with joyous celebration of victory against a worthy foe.

“We’ve just got to get going and finish,” declared the Eagles’ Elhard.

The authoritative architect of the game one triumph expressed her feelings.

“I’m really excited.” exclaimed Mariah McHolland. “This is our third year as league champions. Serving was a big deal this time. It set up our passing, setting and kills. We work really well together because we encourage and lift each other up.”

McHolland finished with 14 kills, seven blocks and 10 aces.

The battle took its toll with positive dividends at the end for another Mustang athlete.

“It was very stressful,” admitted Hronek. “My heart is still like pounding. It was a relief to win and it was fun. Everybody just pumps each other up.”

For Rainier Christian head coach Magley, the match showcased the improvement from early season play.

“The girls worked hard to get our chemistry back after losing to Bear Creek and Christian Faith,” said Magley. “We had more intense practices and have not lost since. We are peaking at the right time. Mariah served a great first game. Together, everyone achieves. The girls work well together on and off the court. Attitide and effort makes us exceed.”

McHolland’s sister Lydia finished with 22 assist for the Mustangs. Hronek earned nine kills and five blocks. For the Eagles, Elhard and Laete led with 11 kills and eight kills, respectively. Poetter dished up 23 assists and served three aces. Tacke tuned in for three aces.

Evergreen Lutheran (10-3 league) and Rainier Christian (12-2 league) played in the Tr-District tournament in Edmonds on Saturday after press time for state berths at the Yakima Sun Dome.