9/9/2026
Curtis 3, Liberty 0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-12)
(University Place, WA) The Volleyball season is just getting started for 2026 and the home team Curtis Vikings have a deep history looking to get off to a fast start looking to get back to the 4A State Championship match after winning it all in 2024 and falling short 3-2 last year in the title match to Lake Stevens.
Liberty (Renton) has had some recent success in 2023 with a 7th place trophy but haven’t returned to the SunDome since. Opening with a power like the Vikings is going to set the bar for where they want to be early in the season. It would be a great early test for two teams familiar with state as the Vikings looked to stay perfect while the Patriots hoped to get in the win column.
Set 1
Curtis got off to a strong start, scoring the first four points of the match with Tala Johnson rattling off three from the service line. Kathryn Harris was mixing it up from her setter position and got all of the Vikings involved early on at the net. Kayla Baker was the most dominant player in the opening set and allowed Curtis to get some breathing room before Liberty started to get going. Maiya Clough and Hayden Quinto were solid at the net for the Patriots in the opening set but the Vikings would slowly wear them down. A four-point run at the line for Kathryn Harris was followed by a five-point run by Tala Johnson and that allowed Curtis to pull away and take the opening set 25-16.
Set 2
The start of the second set was much more even as the teams traded points but the difference was Curtis was able to earn a couple of points off of their own serves. Liberty captain Alicia Lester really found her groove in the second set and started to make big plays for the Patriots as they prevented Curtis from going on early runs. Liberty was only able to score three points on their serves in the entire set however while Sofia Herrera, Mia Nelson, and Bella Rico all got going for the Vikings. Rico would serve six points in a row with a couple of aces to push the Vikings over the finish line in set #2, winning it 25-12.
Set 3
Every server for the Curtis Vikings in the final set served at least one point for the Vikings as they pushed for the sweep. There was no one and dones for Curtis but they had to work for the points as the backline of Liberty started to make some big plays. Madelyn Huey and Joann John were really good in the final set for the Patriots but they had a tough time finishing points. Kathryn Harris was outstanding for Curtis all match but started to get involved in some blocks in the final set as well. Kayla Baker was great again as she was dominant at the net. Tala Johnson but an exclamation point on this one with three aces in a six-point run by Curtis as the Vikings completed the sweep over Liberty, winning the final set 25-12.
Sumner Holiday Inn MVP
Our Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the game went to Tala Johnson for the Curtis Vikings. Johnson was terrific all over the floor for Curtis whether she was at the net or on the backline. Johnson never subbed out and went on long scoring runs for Curtis, serving 18 points for Curtis over the three sets with four aces in the match.
What’s Next?
The win sends Curtis to 4-0 on the season and gives them back-to-back sweeps for the first time in 2026. The Vikings will begin SPSL 4A league play next Thursday, the 17th, when they visit Emerald Ridge. The loss drops Liberty to 0-3 on the season and the Patriots will look to get their first win in their league opener on Monday when they host Interlake.
Click here for the link to the full game replay (Subscription Required)
Match Highlights
Postgame Show
Baker Starts Fast
Lester Locks in for Liberty
Curtis Wins Great Rally in 3rd
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