9/8/2026
Timberline 3, Bellarmine 0 (25-14, 24-11, 25-7)
(Lacey, WA) The High School football season kicked off last week; this week the 2026 Volleyball schedule hits the courts, and so do the West 42 sports crews. Our first volleyball match of the season had the Bellarmine Prep Lions in Lacey at the Timberline Blazers.
This was the opening match for both the Lions and Blazers. Bellarmine Prep has a deep history in state volleyball with 3 State Championships from 2012-2014. They missed the State Tournament last season and were looking to get off to a fast start in 2026.
The Blazers have been to State the last 2 years and earned their 3rd placing trophy last year when they had to win a loser-out match at 8 am on day 1, lost their round of 16 match to #2-ranked Mt Spokane, and then reeled off 3 straight wins to take 7th place as the 15 seed. Timberline’s focus is improving on one of their best season’s in school history.
1st Set
It didn’t take long for Timberline to get going as Miya Jackson took over as server and rallied off eight straight points with help from Kinley Smith, Kinley Zimmerman, and Jovie Lind. Both Kinley’s were a big part of the offense early for Timberline as they would rack up multiple kills. Jovie Lind was the defensive presence as the Libero of the team. On the other side for Bellarmine, Guiliana Pezzoli would rack up two quick kills as well as Terra Missall.
Down 9-2, the Lions had to go to work and that they did. They would have a string of good defensive possessions leading to points to bring the score within four. The pressure did not faze Timerline though as Kinley Smith and Miya Jackson would go to work on offense. Leia Dela Cruz would then take over as server and rallied off five straight points and two aces with help from her teammates. Timberline would not loom back and capped off a set one win after a block from Joyce Izuagbe.
2nd Set
Set two was the most competitive of the two early on. Bellarmine would get to a 3-0 lead early with Kate Krause on the serving line. The offense would continue as Addison Haley and Grace Grace Morgan would collect kills, maintained by great defensive play. Deyla Lewis was also a big driving force on defense all night for the Lions. Despite being down, Timberline did not waver and came right back with a vengeance. Kinley Smith would take over as server; Smith and company would score six straight points with help from Miya Jackson and Joyce Izuagbe, who had three back-to-back kills.
From there, Timberline dialed in and began to dominate. Their offense and defense were outstanding, and once they got rolling, little could stop them. Leia Dela Cruz once again put on a great display, serving two aces and leading the team on a four-point run. They would go on to win set two 25-11.
3rd Set
The third set was pure dominance from the get-go as Timberline would rally off eight points in a row to open the set with Dela Cruz at the serving line, including an ace. Kinley Smith, Lilly Grant, and Joyce Izuagbe would continue their offensive flurry as Bellarmine could not catch up. Charlie Daukas would come into the game for the first time and help rally off three straight points and an ace to take home the win for Timberline. They would dominantly win 3-0.
Sumner Holiday Inn MVP of the Match
The Sumner Holiday Inn MVP of the match went to Leia Dela Cruz, who had four aces in the game and at the serving line, helping score 17 points, most of them consecutively throughout the game. She also had a few kills in the game and many assists. She was a force serving, assisting, and most of all defensively. Playing a big part in the win for Timberline.
What’s Next
Bellarmine will face Capital High School at home on Thursday, September 10th, with a 7:15 start time. Timberline will face Silas High School on Thursday, September 10th, with a 7:15 start time.
Game Highlights
Post-Game Show
Joyce Izuagbe with the block to end set one
Kate Krause with an Ace to Start Set Two Followed by a Terra Missal Block
Charlie Daukas Comes in to Win the Game at the Serving Line
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