While the whistling wind wore away the outside environment on Tuesday night, the No. 5 state-ranked John F. Kennedy Catholic volleyball team eroded visiting Lindbergh, 3-0, in a Seamount League matchup.

Kennedy remained unbeaten (5-0 league, 6-0 overall) while second place Lindbergh fell back to 4-2 and 6-5.

“We have a number of skill sets,” stated Lancer head coach Tom Muckerheide. “It’s tough for any team that plays us because they don’t have the chance to get into their system. Jennica McPherson is our big hitter and we’re good defensively.”

All these stated elements came into play on Tuesday. Like the Kennedy drum corps that beat out a rhythmic and steady cadence throughout, the Lancer squad continually cut through the Eagle defense.

After gaining side out on the first point of the match, JFK rolled to six consecutive points behind Leah Bowie’s serve. Leading 15-10, the Lancers grabbed side out again and steamrolled to a 21-11 margin on McPherson’s serve en route to a 25-13 first game win.

At times, McPherson and Vivienne McLean served as bookends on the corner of the front line with resoundingly resonant kills when not slamming shots or dropping dinks from the middle. Winning shots came from all angles and found holes throughout the court.

“We’re pretty small (in school size) so we know each other well. We just needed to play as a team,” said McPherson, who at times dominated play with her southpaw, slanting slams. “I just try to stay focused and cut down on the errors.”

The six-foot junior collected 10 kills for the match.

Second game showcases resembled the first game patterns as the Lancers rode to 10 consecutive points and a 13-2 lead. Dominating play at 16-4, Kennedy Catholic cruised to a 24-3 margin before dropping the curtain on a 25-6 win.

“We know each other really well, practice often and are friends on and off the court,” related McLean, who posted eight kills. “As friends on and off the court, we all have fun.”

With McPherson and McClean sitting out the third game, Lindbergh kept the third game close until Kennedy held only a 16-15 advantage.

The Lancers earned side out and proceeded to fire off six consecutive points on Jenny Neudorfer’s serve. Neudorfer’s dipping serve resulted in aces and service winners. This was the difference in the third game 25-19 Kennedy Catholic victory.


“Jennica helps our team dynamic and gets us pumped up,” concluded Neudorfer, who served four aces.

Katie Key dished out 25 Kennedy Catholic assists while teammate Lauren Zilke deposited three aces in the dominating triumph.

Kennedy Catholic scored a 25-11, 25-4, 25-12 victory over the Highlanders of Hazen Thursday.

Jennica McPherson recorded 18 assists for the Lancers along with seven digs, six kills and three stuff blocks and Lauren Zilke had eight aces, six digs and two kills.

Jenny Neudorfer had four aces, five kills and five stuffs and Erin Gosseen two aces and seven kills. Vivian McClean scored three aces, five kills and one stuff block along with three digs. Leah Bowie finished with one ace, one kill and five assists and Natasha Batby had one assist and three kills.

In other Seamount League action, Highlne emerged as a 3-0 winner over Foster and Evergreen defeated Renton, 3-0. Tyee took a 3-0 loss to Lindbergh.