Volleyball: Two big matches on tap Wednesday night

Wednesday is a big night for volleyball in South Sound with key matches taking place in the 4A and 3A Narrows League -- North Thurston v. Timberline (3A Narrows) and Bellarmine v. Olympia (4A Narrows).

North Thurston at Timberline, 7 p.m.
The winner of this all-Lacey match will have an inside track to the 3A Narrows League title. Both North Thurston and Timberline are unbeaten in league play; the Rams are a perfect 7-0 overall (5-0 in 3A Narrows play) and have won all of their matches in three-set sweeps. Timberline is 6-1 overall (5-0 in league) and is ranked No. 8 in the 3A state coaches rankings; its lone loss came to Capital in five sets on Sept. 11.
Players to watch:
North Thurston: Brittany Rutherford, outside hitter; Megan Kramer, setter; Brandy Rutherford, defensive specialist
Timberline: Hunter Manke, setter; Nicole Pittelkau, outside hitter; Riley Podowicz, middle hitter

Bellarmine at Olympia, 7 p.m.
When you talk 4A Narrows League supremacy, these two teams have been it. Bellarmine (ranked No. 6 in 4A coaches rankings) and Olympia (No. 8) currently sit 1-2 in the 4A Narrows standings. Olympia, the defending 4A state champion, is 4-3 overall (4-1 in league) and winners of two straight matches. Bellarmine (6-1 overall, 5-0 in league) features perhaps the state’s best player, Courtney Schwan, who was selected to the USA Youth National team this summer. Bears coach Laurie Creighton said this match will be the Olympia’s third annual “Battle for the Cure”, raising awareness for lymphoma.
Players to watch:
Bellarmine: Courtney Schwan, outside hitter; Katie DeGroot, setter
Olympia: Michaela Berendt, middle hitter; Rachel Kelson, outside hitter