OLYMPIA, WA — The Lower Columbia College Red Devils captured a share of the NWAC West Region championship on Wednesday night, securing a dramatic 3-2 road victory over the South Puget Sound Clippers in a five-set marathon (25-19, 23-25, 25-13, 19-25, 15-11).
The crucial win concludes the Red Devils' regular season with a 19-10 overall record and a 10-2 record in region play. The victory places them in a three-way tie for the West Region crown alongside Highline and Centralia.
By virtue of tiebreakers, Lower Columbia will enter the postseason as the #2 seed out of the West.
It was a gritty, back-and-forth battle from the first serve. The Red Devils came out strong to take the first set 25-19, but the Clippers answered by snatching a tight second set 25-23. LCC seemed to regain total control with a dominant 25-13 win in the third, only to see South Puget Sound storm back with a 25-19 win in the fourth, forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the final frame, the Red Devils dug deep, pulling ahead to win the set 15-11, sealing the match and their share of the title.
Lower Columbia's offense was powered by Kendall Humphrey, who led the team with 13 kills and added 8 digs. Claire Neuman was a model of efficiency, tallying 12 kills on an impressive .353 hitting percentage, along with 11 digs and 2 service aces.
Setter Karissa Otterstetter directed the offense brilliantly, finishing with a double-double of 36 assists and 12 digs. Defensively, libero Kamryn Sande was everywhere, leading all players with a match-high 26 digs. Irene Martinez was a force at the net, registering 4 total blocks (2 solo) to go with 5 kills.
The Clippers (15-14, 5-8) put up a tremendous fight, led by a monster performance from Jamie Kennedy, who racked up a match-high 15 kills and an incredible 9 blocks (6 solo). Clipper setter Matagi Maugaotega dished out 40 assists, while Lataya Mitchell anchored the defense with 28 digs.
With the West Region #2 seed, the Red Devils will now prepare for the NWAC regional playoffs, which will be held at Edmonds College, November 15-16.