The South Puget Sound volleyball team won their last home match on Friday night, beating West Region rival Tacoma 3-2 in a match that keeps their playoff hopes alive. In their last match at the SPSCC new gymnasium, sophomores Jayde Grams, Jahnessa Hill, Emily Snider and Jazlyn Quenga closed out the 5th set, something the Clippers had yet to do this season.
The Clippers started on a mission, going up early in the first set. The Titans came back to tie it and even took the lead at 21-20 but the Clippers closed out the game, scoring 5 of the next 6 points to win 25-22 on a block by Silke Constant.
The second set was a back-and-forth battle with TCC coming out on top 25-17.
The third and fourth sets had similar beginnings to each other with different outcomes. The sets were back and forth throughout until the Titans tied it up at 18, going on to win the third set 25-21. In the fourth set, the Titans tied it up at 17 but the Clippers fought back to win 25-18 and send it to the deciding set.
Once again the Clippers started the set strong, getting out to a 5-0 lead. The Titans continued to push back until eventually the Clips won 16-14 on a kill by Khalia Craig.
Coach Tusalava Kuaea had high praise for her team, "This is the first time we've taken the 5th set all season. I'm so proud of our sophomores and our whole team. This was the first time we have started and finished a match together. I could not be prouder of my girls tonight."
Emily Snider led the team with 43 assists and Khalia Craig and Jahnessa Hill led with 22 and 19 kills respectively. The Clippers finish out their season at Pierce College next Wednesday, with a chance to head to the playoffs if they can get the win.