High netters split season openers

Taylor Carlson, a junior setter for the Lady Spartans, helped the local high netters defeat Arlington 3-1 in early-season volleyball action. Carlson dished out 29 assists against the Eagles. Overcoming a surprising loss to Lake Stevens in a non-league encounter last Tuesday night, the Lady Spartan volleyball team (1- 1 overall) came back two nights later to outplay the Eagles from Arlington 3-1.

After building a 13-point margin (13-2 and 18-5) on two separate occasions during the initial set of the season, the Sparts allowed the Vikings to rally with 19 points over the next 25 serves. That comeback resulted in a 26-24 loss for the locals.

Momentum was sustained by the Vikes through the next two sets as Stanwood's spikers had trouble with their passing, service breaks and potential kills that went beyond the end line. Head coach Erik Titus cited those problems as reason enough for his club to lose to Lake Stevens.

"They really rallied when we let them back in midway through that first set. It's funny how momentum can change a game."

Kaci Jones recorded eight kills while Sarah Titus had 14 digs for the Spartans.

A

t Arlington it was another

tight match after the first two sets. The Eagles won the second set 29-27 after the Sparts had taken the first 26-24.

Re-establishing a winning combination, the local high netters, behind the front line work of Kaci Jones, the back line efforts of Sarah Titus and the excellent sets of Taylor Carlson, went on to solid victories by scores of 25-17 and 25-22.

Jones had 24 total kills over the four-game match, Titus finished with three aces and 16 digs while Carlson distributed 29 assists over the course of the night.