MARYSVILLE — In those do-or-die moments where a win comes down to a critical play, junior outside hitter Mikayla LaRosa thrives.
M-P and Shorecrest split the first two sets in their Sept. 25 meeting and the Scots rode their game-two momentum and small Tomahawk mistakes to 18-10 lead in the third game. But after a quick time out, a reinvigorated Marysville volleyball team took the court with a serious comeback underway. LaRosa delivered a kill to give the Tomahawks their 11th point. The effort was followed by an 8-1 tear to tie the set up at 19-19 and revive the girls’ hopes of maintaining a set advantage.
LaRosa was in her element. As Shorecrest battled back, the hitter went to work, once again cutting into the Shorecrest lead with a kill to trail 23-22. She then added two more of her 15 kills on the evening to tie the game at 24-24 and give the Tommies’ their first lead of the set at 25-24. The home team won the second set 27-25.
“That’s what it’s all about,” LaRosa said after Marysville defeated Shorecrest in four sets, 25-19, 19-25, 27-25 and 25-22. “That puts the pressure on them. It motivates us.”
After being sidelined by injury in the early non-conference schedule, LaRosa came out to lead the offense adding three aces and three stuffed blocks to her team-high 15 kills. Senior hitters Jenna Welsh and Emily Boerger added eight more kills each.
It’s the kind of play Marysville will need more of as they begin their conference schedule after a weekend tournament in Wenatchee. After tough losses to Snohomish, and returning state teams Monroe and Kamiak, the Tomahawks rebounded to defeat Edmonds-Woodway. The win over Shorecrest is their second in a row.
M-P coach Shelly Johnson said she’s feeling better about the beginning of the league schedule.
“A couple of wins against good teams is helping,” she added.
Setter Brittany Fitzmaurice had 32 assists, libero Jadelyn Thompson had 37 digs and junior mid Alisha Oden had six blocks against Shorecrest.
The Tomahawks begin leagues at home against Arlington Oct. 7.
