10/1/2026
Aberdeen 3, Black Hills 2 (25-23, 24-26, 26-24, 15-25, 15-10)
(Tumwater, WA) Black Hills and Aberdeen showed why they are two teams everyone in the 2A classification needs to watch out for. Black Hills came into the game 6-2 on the season and 0-1 in the 2A Evco, coming off a five-set loss to Shelton. Aberdeen came into the match undefeated with a 6-0 record and 1-0 in league after a five-set win over Centralia. Aberdeen was #5 in the RPI coming into this game while Black Hills was #16. What transpired was a back-and-forth battle until the very end, where neither team would go away. In the end, though, one had to walk out victorious.
1st Set
Every set was competitive, and the first set set the tone for how the game would unfold. Each team traded points and kept the game tied through the early portions of the set. Things changed for Aberdeen, though, when Morgan McCombs went to the serving line. Her two aces paired with two blocks from Bethany Betancourth led the Bobcats to a nine-point scoring run to take a big lead.
Black Hills would steadily claw their way back into the set with great offense from Lilly Worthen and Tyler Venable. Black Hills would bring the score within four points late and tie the set 23-23 after a four point run helped by a kill from Janessa Balsley. Aberdeen would end things though with two straight points and take set one 25-23.
2nd Set
The second set once again went down to the wire. Both schools trading blows back and forth and going on nice scoring stretches. Aberdeen would score seven straight with kills from Emelia Kohn and Morgan McCombs as they tried to pull away. The Bobcats would be up as much as seven points, but again the Wolves battled back; they would go on an eight-point run a few possessions later with three aces from Mila Dickey in that time span.
They would do it again but this time for five points, with a block from Kallie Woods, two kills from Lilly Worthen, and a kill from Janessa Balsley. Aberdeen hung in there, though, and tied the game 24-24 after two aces from Mia Hallak. The Wolves would score two quick points, though, and win the set 26-24 and tie things up 1-1.
3rd Set
The third set was identical to the second but reversed. Both teams had caught a rhythm on offense, but defense stood out most for both schools. Sophie Knutson and Mia Hallak made it hard for Black Hills to score, as they were always at the right place at the right time and made save after save. The same could be said for Piper Manning for the Wolves, as she played a big part in the success of her team with her backline defense.
Each team exchanged scoring runs all throughout the set, with neither team getting more than a four-point lead. Once again, it all came down to the end with the set tied 24-24, but this time it was Aberdeen who prevailed after an ace from Sophie Knutson. The Bobcats would win set three 26-24 and retake the set lead 2-1.
4th Set
The fourth set was the most dominant of all five as Black Hills caught fire. Lilly Worthen, Tyler Venable, Jaya Tummala, and Janessa Balsley could not be stopped on offense while Piper Manning controlled the defense of the Wolves. The set would remain close for the first half as Aberdeen never let Black Hills pull away. This would change, though, after a six-point run aided by a kill from Lilly Worthen, a block from Kallie Woods and Lilly Worthen, and two aces from Tyler Venable. Aberdeen would try to make a comeback as Jordyn Mills would string together multiple kills, but momentum had swung to the side of Black Hills, who let it carry them to a set four victory, 25-15. Both were tied 2-2 going into set five.
5th Set
Black Hills started out strong with two kills from Lilly Worthen and one from Janessa Blasley, but Aberdeen kept responding right back. A few unfortunate plays for the Wolves gave Aberdeen the lead, which would be followed by two points from Emelia Kohn that started the beginning of the end. Kohn would then go to the serving line and deliver two aces paired with a Jordyn Mills kill that fired the Bobcats up. The two teams would exchange points, but it all came down to match point for Aberdeen. Mia Hallak would come away with the kill, and the Bobcats would win set five 15-10 and the game 3-2 in sets. Aberdeen remains undefeated, but Black Hills showed that they are a force in the 2A Evco and in the 2A classification.
Chehalis Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Game
The Chehalis Holiday Inn Express MVP of the game went to Sophie Knutson, who was seemingly unstoppable at times at the Libero position. With more saves than anyone can count, the game ran through her defense and sets. In a sport where the front line gets a lot of the glory, her defense was game-changing and was a massive factor in Aberdeen getting the win.
What’s Next?
Black Hills will face Tumwater High School at home on Tuesday, October 6th with a 7:00 pm start time. Aberdeen will face Shelton High School at home on Tuesday, October 6th with a 7:00 pm kickoff.
Stats
Aberdeen:
- Emelia Kohn – 7 Kills, 2 Aces
- Jordyn Mills – 7 Kills
- Bethany Betancourth – 1 Kill, 3 Blocks
Black Hills:
- Lilly Worthen – 18 Kills, 4 Blocks
- Tyler Venable – 6 Kills
- Janessa Balsley – 6 Kills
For the full game replay, click here (Subscription Required)
West 42 Sports Post-Game Show
Game Highlights
Back-to-Back Blocks by Bethany Betancourth
Sophie Knutson Save Leads to Aberdeen Point
Big Kill from Lilly Worthen After Nice Rally
Janessa Balsley with the Block After Rally
Mia Hallak Wins it for Aberdeen in Set Five
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