10/5/2026
Curtis Vikings 3, Puyallup Vikings 1 (25-20, 25-19, 24-26, 25-21)
(Puyallup, WA) Two of the best teams in the 4A classification squared off in an intense battle of skill and discipline as Curtis High School went on the road to face Puyallup. Both of these teams are two of the top four teams in the 4A RPI. Puyallup came into the game as the #3-ranked team and is coming off a win over Olympia in five sets. Curtis, on the other hand, was the #4-ranked team in the RPI and was coming off back-to-back losses, which the program hasn’t seen in a very long time. These two league foes showed why they are at the top of the heap in their league and in the state as they battled back and forth all night. In the end, though, only one Viking team walked out the victor.
1st Set
From the get-go, you could tell how evenly matched these two teams were. From the frontline offense to the backline defense, both teams came out swarming. Both teams would exchange quick kills from Curtis’ Kayla Baker and Puyallup’s Amelia Guardipee and from these the two schools would go back and forth with no one really getting the upper hand. Curtis would go on small runs here and there and bring the lead to five at one point but struggled to maintain it as Puyallup would always find a way to answer. Towards the middle of the set, Curtis would be up by six points and seemed to have caught a rhythm until two straight kills from Ava Knapp followed by a block and then another kill just moments later helped Puyallup tie the set 19-19. Curtis would hang on, though as Mia Nelson and Tala Johnson would score for the Viks followed by Isabella Rico a few rallies later to give Curtis the set one win, 25-20
2nd Set
Set two was similar to set one, where neither team could separate themselves from the other, and this continued all throughout the night. Rilyn Kerlee and Melayna Volkman for Puyallup would get quick kills, as well as Isabella Rico and Mia Nelson for Curtis. The teams were locked at a dead heat until midway through the set. Curtis would go on a four-point run with back-to-back kills from Kayla Baker, followed by a five-point run a short time later. Curtis seemed like they were going to pull away bit once again, Puyallup made that impossible. Kerlee, Knapp, and Volkman would all get kills for Puyallup, who brought the set within two points. However, once again Curtis did just what they needed to to get the set win 25-19.
3rd Set
This was likely the most entertaining set, which is crazy because every set was chaotic. Again, the two teams were so even in terms of skill that the lead for half the set never got more than two points for either side, as the lead was changing constantly. It stayed this way all the way until the score of 18-18. Obviously, it was the offense that was getting themselves on the stat sheet, but the defense was outstanding for both squads. Puyallup’s libero Sam Pirillis was saving everything that moved, as well as Curtis’ libero Pressley Messersmith and Kathryn Harris. A sight to behold as they were flying around the gym making save after save. Curtis got it to match point with a 24-22 lead, but Puyallup would rally off two points to make it win by two and then an immediate two points after with Melayna Volkman getting the set-winning block. Puyallup would win set three, 26-24
4th Set
Curtis came out swinging to start the fourth set by rallying off six straight points, with three of them being aces by Kathryn Harris all in a row. They would maintain a five-to-six point lead for about a third of the set, but Puyallup heated up once again. The defense locked in, and Amelia Guardipee and Melayna Volkman made big plays to keep them afloat. They would bring the set within three, but Curtis never let up. Mia Nelson and Kayla Baker would make big kills as Curtis was eyeing the win. Puyallup stay close, but late in the set, Curtis only needed two points. A kill by Tala Johnson followed by a side out from Puyallup would end it as Curtis would take the set 25-21 and the game 3-1.
Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Game
The Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the game went to Kathryn Harris, who was so dominant on defense as well as collecting blocks, kills, and aces all throughout the game. She made a countless number of saves with many being miraculous. She was always in the right place at the right time and single-handedly kept rallies alive for Curtis throughout the game. Her sets were on point and she placed the ball right where it needed to be for her frontline to get a shot at a kill. An outstanding game from Harris that the stat sheet doesn’t do justice.
What’s Next?
Puyallup will face Spanaway Lake at home on Wednesday, October 7th with a 7:00 start time. Curtis will face Yelm at home on Wednesday, October 7th with a 7:00 pm start time.
Stats
Curtis:
- Kathryn Harris – 3 aces, 2 kills
- Kayla Baker – 7 Kills
- Mia Nelson – 8 Kills
- Tala Johnson – 9 Kills
Puyallup:
- Ava Knapp – 9 Kills
- Amelia Gaurdipee – 11 Kills
- Melayna Volkman – 10 Kills
Link to watch full game replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
West 42 Sports Postgame Show
Video Highlights
Ava Knapp Goes Nuclear
Great Rally Ending with Kayla Baker Kill
Puyallup Wins an Intense Set Three with Melayna Volkman Kill
Kathryn Harris with Back-to-Back Aces
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