Union-Bulletin

WALLA WALLA - Walla Walla Community College evened its NWAACC volleyball record at 1-1 with a hard-fought, three-set victory over Yakima at the Dietrich Dome Wednesday.

"We desperately needed this conference win," Warrior coach Tim Toon said after WWCC's 28-26, 25-17, 25-21 victory. "Five missed serves in the first game created a hole we had to fight out of. Late in that game, we played up to our ability levels in all phases of the game and were able to steal the win.

"The quality of play continued in the game two rout," he said.

"In game three, we came out flat and had to fight back again."

Highlights of the Warriors' match included Brittany Dominguez, who had 14 kills and three blocks.

"She's becoming one of the best middle hitters in the NWAACC," Toon said.

Kayla Hanus recorded 31 assists, two aces, seven digs and two blocks.

"She ran the offense with a lot of skill," Toon said.

Libby Kern turned in 10 kills and four blocks, Laekynn Culpepper 11 digs and two aces, Renee Baumann six kills and four digs, Taylor Lancaster five kills and three blocks, and Desiree Nielson had five kills and five blocks.

"The good news is that this WWCC team has a high gear they can kick into at will," Toon said. "The bad news is that they need more maturity so they can start and stay in that high gear all the time. If we can get to that level, this team could be amazing."

The Warriors, 9-4 overall and ranked No. 5 in the NWAACC, hosts the WWCC Crossover Friday and Saturday. No. 2-ranked Blue Mountain, No. 3-ranked Mount Hood and No. 7-ranked Bellevue are among the teams coming to town.

WWCC Crossover

Friday

Court 1

1 p.m. - WWCC vs. Edmonds

2:45 p.m. - WWCC vs. Umpqua

4:15 p.m. - Edmonds vs. Blue Mountain

6 p.m. - WWCC vs. Blue Mountain

7:45 p.m. - WWCC vs. Pierce

Court 2

1 p.m. - Blue Mountain vs. Bellevue

2:45 p.m. - Pierce vs. Mount Hood

4:15 p.m. - Pierce vs. Bellevue

6 p.m. - Edmonds vs. Umpqua

7:45 p.m. - Bellevue vs. Mount Hood

Saturday

Court 1

9 a.m. - Umpqua vs. Blue Mountain

10:45 a.m. - WWCC vs. Bellevue

12:30 p.m. - Blue Mountain vs. Mount Hood

2:15 p.m. - WWCC vs. Mount Hood

Court 2

9 a.m. - Edmonds vs. Pierce

10:45 a.m. - Edmonds vs. Mount Hood

12:30 p.m. - Pierce vs. Umpqua

2:15 p.m. - Bellevue vs. Umpqua