The Bellevue Varsity Wolverines displayed their depth and potential in a three straight set victory over the visiting Rebels of Kirkland’s Juanita High School on Tuesday night.  Bellevue quieted the Rebel attack with set wins of 25-18, 25-12, and 25-18 for the 3-0 result.

The first set opened with the Rebels taking an early lead on numerous Bellevue miscues.  The Wolverines looked like a bunch of Republican Presidential candidates struggling to represent their positions on the debate floor.  The Wolverines then found their common ground, answered, and narrowed the gap as the score hit double digits for each side.  The score was brought even and then Senior middle hitter Denali Conway struck, not at the net, but from the service line with a handful of aces and an extended service run that broke open a solid margin for the Wolverines.  Sophomore outside hitter Callie Weber then had a run of warm-up style kills that opened a 22-16 lead.  Points were then exchanged up to the final Rebel hit that straight-lined into the net giving Bellevue the set victory at 25-18.

Fully warmed up, and with confidence regained, the Wolverines jumped on the Rebels early and often in the second set with a balanced attack and superior defense.  The Wolverines chased the Rebels into retreat in an impressive set that was evidenced by the thirteen point winning margin.  Coach Garry Currier used the opportunity to rotate all of the team into play giving all of the team valuable game experience.  Momentum was clearly on Bellevue’s side as the second set ended with the scoreboard at 25-12.

The third set showed the talent of Bellevue’s two seniors, Conway and opposite hitter Katie Griffin.  Griffin added more service aces followed by a timely kill by Conway as momentum fueled numerous hits. Conway again took the Wolverines on a service run that left little doubt as to the impending outcome of the match.  Enough said, because Bellevue then relaxed and with numerous substitutions gave up some points to the Rebels late in the match.  Middle Iva Dedijer added a kill to bring the Wolverines to 22-16 and the teams traded points until Conway made a final kill to end the contest with a 25-18 set victory.

“We came together Friday after our loss and then Saturday we formulated a new family and we came out today and we played together,” said Head Coach Garry Currier. “This is a great momentum to go in against Mercer. I think if the girls play together, we should put up a good fight against Mercer,” he emphasized.