The Lower Columbia College volleyball team's season came to a heartbreaking close after a marathon weekend at the NWAC North Regionals. The Red Devils played three consecutive five-set thrillers in two days, ultimately finishing with a 1-2 record and ending their season.
🏐 Game 1: LCC def. Walla Walla 3-2
LCC kicked off the tournament on Saturday, November 15, with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over the Walla Walla Warriors (16-25, 25-17, 27-25, 17-25, 15-7). After dropping the first set, the Red Devils rallied to win a crucial 27-25 third set and dominated the fifth, 15-7, to advance.
Sophomore Kendall Humphrey was a force, powering the offense with 23 kills and 16 digs. Setter Karissa Otterstetter had 41 assists, while libero Kamryn Sande anchored the defense with 21 digs. The Red Devils' service game was a key difference, as they racked up 16 aces.
🏐 Game 2: Edmonds def. LCC 3-2
The win sent the Red Devils into the winner's bracket on Sunday, November 16, against the tournament host, Edmonds. In another back-and-forth battle, LCC took a 2-1 match lead, but the Tritons fought back to take the match 3-2 (27-25, 18-25, 25-27, 25-20, 15-9).
The Red Devil defense was relentless in the loss. Humphrey posted a massive double-double with 17 kills and 26 digs. Claire Neuman added 16 kills and 10 digs. Otterstetter had 38 assists and 14 digs, while Lillian Halberg (23 digs) and Sande (19 digs) covered the floor.
🏐 Game 3: Walla Walla def. LCC 3-2
The loss to Edmonds dropped LCC into an immediate elimination match just hours later—a rematch against Walla Walla.
Exhausted but determined, the Red Devils fought through their 11th set of the day, pushing the Warriors to yet another fifth set. LCC battled back twice to tie the match, but Walla Walla ultimately got its revenge, ending the Red Devils' season with a 3-2 decision (25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-10).
The team laid everything on the line, with four players recording double-digit digs. Kamryn Sande was spectacular, recording a massive 32 digs. Claire Neuman led the offense with 17 kills, 14 digs, and 4 blocks. Kendall Humphrey capped her incredible weekend with 16 kills and 15 digs, and Karissa Otterstetter distributed 36 assists to go with 11 digs.
After playing 15 grueling sets in just over 24 hours, the Red Devils' season concludes with a 16-11 record.
