(Longview, WA) -- The Lower Columbia volleyball team took over first place in the NWAC West Region standings and clinched a spot in the playoffs after 3-1 win over Highline on Friday, Oct 20, at Myklebust Gym.

The set scores were 20-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-13.

Lower Columbia got off to a bit of a slow start on Friday night as the Thunderbirds got out to a 16-23 lead in the first set. Highline held off a late surging Devils team to take set one 20-25. 

But the Devils came out in the second set, backed by an energetic and rockin crowd, ready to take care of business. LCC took it to Highline, jumping out to a 12-8 lead forcing a Thunderbirds timeout. Highline scored the first point out of the timeout but LCC kept up the pressure, forcing a second Highline timeout at 19-14 Devils. At this point, the Devils knew they had it and came out of the timeout on fire to win the set 25-18. 

Set three was a fast paced, back-and-forth affair with both teams hitting 14 kills. But the Devils won the error battle as the T-Birds committed 6 errors to help elevate LCC to a 25-21 win. 

At this point, Highline knew they were in trouble, as the Devils had all the momentum and the home crowd just got louder. Set four was all LCC, as the Devils stepped on the gas to get out to a 22-11 lead. The Thunderbirds would hit the next two kills but that would it for Highline as the Devils regroup to take the final three kills. Kambree Baker stood tall at the net to get huge block giving the Devils the 25-13 set win to take the 3-1 match. 

Paige Chinchen lead the Devils with 14 kills, 10 digs, and a service ace.

Kate Johnson had 12 kills and block.

Kendal Collins added 12 kills and had 10 digs.

Baker finished the night with 7 kills and 4 blocks.

Kate Onespot-Danforth and Alex Tinsley were all over the court with 23 and 22 assists respectively. The LCC student-body also got one huge assist with incredible energy and support.

Lower Columbia had 7 ace serves on the night with Tinsley and Brooke Parsons hitting 2 each. Onespot-Danforth and Madi Noel also had one each. 

The win moves Lower Columbia (8-1) into first place in the NWAC west standings, ahead of Highline (7-1). It also clinches the Devils a spot in the NWAC Volleyball Playoffs.  

The Devils have three games left in the regular season, Friday at South Puget Sound (7:00 PM), Wednesday, November 1, at home vs Tacoma (6:00 PM Sophomore Night) and Friday, November 3rd at Green River.