Clark College remained unbeaten in Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges volleyball with a marathon 27-25, 25-22, 21-25, 14-25, 16-14 victory over Lower Columbia College at the O’Connell Center. The Penguins trailed 14-12 in the deciding game before reeling off the last four points to claim the match.
The Penguins (4-5, 2-0 NWAACC) overcame 31 kills by LCC sophomore Shailah Ricketts, a Heritage High School graduate. The Red Devils fell to 0-2 in NWAACC play. Morgan Harris (Evergreen High School) had 15 kills and four service aces for the Penguins. Baylee Dunkel (Fort Vancouver) had 22 assists, eight digs and seven kills; and Carmen LaFond (Union) had 26 digs.
“Our team started out very good,” Clark coach Jessie Uribe said. “We were very composed and played well and focused. Halfway through Game 3, we got complacent — and Shailah Ricketts is a great player all around, and she took over.”
With Clark facing match point at 14-12, Harris put down a kill then great defensive play by Clark kept the ball alive led to Columbia River High School graduate Heide Davis putting a tip down the line to tie the game. LaFond served out the final two points, the last one on an LCC attack error to end it.
Clark next plays Highline at home at 7 p.m. Friday.
