9/16/2026
Puyallup 3, Kennedy Catholic 0 (29-27, 25-18, 25-22)
(Puyallup, WA) Puyallup came into the game 1-1 on the season with a win over Lakes High School and a hard-fought five-set loss to Issaquah High School. Kennedy Catholic came into the game 0-1 after a loss to Graham Kapowsin in their season opener. Both of these teams have been among the top of the 4A classification for years. Puyallup placed sixth in the state tournament last season, and just two years ago Kennedy Catholic took home the second-place trophy. Both of these teams also played each other in the pre-season Jamboree so fans were in for a competitive battle between the two
1st Set
Kennedy Catholic got off to a hot start in the first set with the offense flowing through Kendra Bush and Amaree Hollis early on. They would get off to a strong lead as the defense held strong and the front line did their job well. The Lancers would go on a six point run with Caroline Kerns at the serving line which included an ace from her. They would then go on a five point run not too much later with Amaree Hollis getting two kills in the process. They would lead by eight points 21-13.
Sam Pirillis took over for Puyallup and fired off three four aces in short order which lit a fire under the Vikings. The serving of Pirillis paired with two kills from Rilyn Kerlee tied the game up for the vikings. From there the two teams went back and forth until the set was tied 24-24. Win by two rules came into effect and both squads exchanged points and constant lead changes. While up 28-27 though, Melayna Volkman would get the final kill of the ser as Puyallup would go up 1-0 in a set one comeback
2nd Set
Sets two and three were very similar as they were competitive until the end. Neither team could quite get the upper hand for most of the sets as the defense started to shine for both teams. Amelia Guarudipee and Talia-Tumama Vargas started to heat up on offense for the Vikings, and Taytum Coleman Brusa and Ari McMillan as well for the Lancers. It wasn’t until about ten points into the set that Puyallup would start to slowly pull away. Not too dominantly, they would just score two points for every Kennedy Catholic’s one. The set would be cemented as Puyallup would rally off five straight points with Ava Knapp at the serving line. Kennedy Guinn would get the last point needed on a misdirection that fooled everyone, and Puyallup would win set two 25-18.
3rd Set
The third set was close until the end. Once again, offense and defense for both schools were locked into a dead heap. The defense once again never let either team get too far ahead. Caroline Kerns, Kennedy Catholic’s libero, controlled things from the back line with aid from Alexis Camba and Ari McMillan. For Puyallup is was libero Sam Pirillis who made many spectacular saves throughout the night as well as Georgia Kafentzis and Amelia Guardipee. Back and forth the teams went, exchanging leads constantly.
Kennedy Catholic would take the biggest lead of the set with five after a five-point run, including three aces from Caroline Kerns. Puyallup would even things up and have a late run late in the set. With Guardipee serving, Ava Knapp would take over on offense and secure three kills in that stretch as well as a block. This would let the Vikings take a 24-20 lead, and they just needed one more point to win the set and the game. A Lancers serve would go out of bounds, and with that, the Vikings won the set 25-22 and the game 3-0. They advance to 2-1 on the season while the Lancers fall to 0-2.
Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP
The Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the game award went to Ava Knapp, who was great on offense all throughout the game but, most importantly, changed the tides in the third set with four very clutch kills that would go on to get her team the win. In addition to that, she had multiple blocks in the game and assisted her teammates well. When her team needed her the most, her offense came through to give Puyallup back the lead and cement their victory in the end.
Watch the full game broadcast on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
West 42 Sports Postgame Show
Game Highlights
Amaree Hollis Kill and Block
Sam Pirillis’ Aces Start Set One Comeback
Sam Pirillis with the Outstanding Save and Puyallup Point
Great Rally Between Kennedy Catholic and Puyallup
Caroline Kerns Back to Back Aces and Block by Amaree Hollis
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