Olympia sweeps Capital in 3 sets, improves to 3-0

OLYMPIA – As important as chemistry is in volleyball, there were many strong moments of mid- or late-season form for the Olympia Bears, despite playing only their third match of the young volleyball season Thursday night.

The Bears, led by senior Christie Colasurdo’s season-high 16 kills, swept Capital in three sets, 25-16, 25-17, 25-15 in a nonleague match at Capital High School to improve to 3-0 overall.

“We all love each other,” said Colasurdo, the Bears’ outside hitter. “I wouldn’t trade any other team for this one.”

Olympia not only has won all three of its matches thus far – against Black Hills, Timberline and now Capital – but all three have come in a sweep. Also, the Bears haven’t given up more than 20 points in a set.

While it took awhile in the first set for the Bears to get going offensively, things soon began to click.

Game 1 featured 11 lead changes, but Colasurdo’s kill that broke a 13-all tie sparked an 8-2 run to end the match. Colasurdo, who is averaging 14.3 kills per match, increased her kills per game Thursday as the match went on. She registered 11 of her 16 kills in Games 2 and 3.

“She’s our go-to gal,” Olympia coach Laurie Creighton said, “and she’s earned that.”

Olympia had big moments of momentum in Games 2 and 3, including runs of 6-0 and 10-3 to widen what was a 14-14 tie to an eight-point cushion for Olympia at 24-17 in the second game. During both runs, Michaela Berendt, the Bears’ 6-foot-4 middle hitter, had two serving aces.

Berendt had a breakout serving game, connecting on 20-of-22 serves, and with the serves came playing time in the back row.

Creighton said Berendt, who did not serve last season as a sophomore, is becoming a lot more comfortable in the back row.

Both Berendt and Tiana McIntosh registered seven kills, including McIntosh’s match-ending kill in Game 3. Setter Alex Bassett dished out 35 assists and Sadie Beckenhauer had 11 digs.

Capital (0-2) features many new faces from a 2010 team that shared the 3A Narrows League title with Timberline and advanced to the state tournament for the second consecutive year.

Its inexperience showed at times with its unforced errors. The Cougars have only one senior (setter Kristina Ablson) and four freshmen who see significant playing time.

Coach Natalie Zukowski said she’s focused on her team improving each week.

“I feel like we have,” Zukowski said. “We tried to hang with them, and we have moments of greatness, but we made mistakes.”

Junior Dani Tabor, a middle hitter who has moved to outside this season, had a team-high six kills and freshman Rachel Erickson had five to lead the Cougars.

Meg Wochnick: 360-754-5473 mwochnick@theolympian.com www.theolympian.com/southsoundsports