By Gerardo Bolong

LACEY - It was four sets to survival for the John F. Kennedy Catholic girls volleyball team in Fri., Nov. 15th, action of the 2013 WIAA/Les Schwab Tires/Dairy Farmers of Washington Class 3A state volleyball tournament in a loser-out match against Auburn Mountainview.

The Lancers and Lions fought furiously for the right to stay in trophy contention before Kennedy Catholic finally prevailed, 3-1, to move into Saturday trophy qualifying matches.

"We're exhausted and emotionally drained," said JFK coach Joanne Uhl.
"After the first match (against Mercer Island), we regrouped and decided just to work hard to get to the second day," said said JFK coach Joanne Uhl whose team improved to ( 19 - 3 ). "At the end of the third and fourth sets, we stopped swinging (hard). Maybe it was fatigue or just playing not to lose. Getting Apryll (Eneliko) on the front line gave us some extra spring where we could be more creative with our sets to give her chances against their right side blocker."

First set action featured Kennedy jumping to the first six points before Mercer Island started fighting back. A 6-0 Islander surge based on strong play by its front hitter and blockers erased a 9-4 Lancer lead, putting Mercer Island ahead 11-9. Following four ties, KC led 16-14only to have MI use double blocking strength to gain a 19-16 advantage. Good sets by Jasmine Moore enabled Kennedy Catholic to draw within 19-18 ahead of a deadlock at 21-all. Mercer Island served long ahead of a mishandled serve from Sydney Beach. Rachael George's stuff block drew JFK to set point, but the Lions roared back to trail only 24-23 before hitting a shot out, resulting in the Kennedy 25-23 first set win.

"We just wanted to win so badly," said senior Libero Alex Rodal who shined with 11 digs. "They took one from us and we took one from them. We kept working hard,because it's loser-out."

The teams fought long and hard, again in the second set until Kennedy Catholic led, 19-17. Good serving by No. 32 plus Mercer Island unforced errors brought the Lancers into a 23-17 differential, but a 4-1 Lion rally brought Auburn Mountainview within 24-21 before Moore set up pass to 20 who tipped in the set decider for JFK.

Back and forth like a pendulum went the advantages of each team in the third set. Trailing 24-21, Auburn Mountainview fought off three set points during a 5-0 run to the third set win.

Diving digs against mighty kill attempts ensued in the fourth set until the roaring Lions led 22-21. Mustering up a final surge of energy, the determined Lancers behind Eneliko's jackhammer spikes rallied to a 25-22 set victory with the final point fittingly earned by Eneliko's dynamite final blow from the outside hitter spot.

"I was just trying to keep going," said Eneliko who lead the Lancer charge with 16 kills and 12 digs. "I saw the court well and keyed on where they were going."

Jasmine Moore delivered 39 assists while Shayne McPherson was steady as she drove home 15 kills with 11 digs. Completing a trio of front line hitters, Stephanie George registered five kills. Alex Rodal shined with 11 digs.