10/6/2026
Timberline Blazers 3, North Thurston Rams 1 (25-17, 19-25, 25-23, 25-18)
(Lacey, WA) In a cross-town rivalry, two of the PSL’s top teams squared off in a neck-and-neck fight as Timberline took the road to face defending state champions North Thurston. Timberline came into the game #3-ranked in the 3A RPI and was undefeated against Washington-based teams and in league. North Thurston entered the game #16-ranked in the RPI and 7-1 on the year as they look to continue last year’s dominant success.
1st Set
Nirth Thurston would get off to a great start with early kills from Abby Losey and Ava Almonte. Timberline would respond with a block from Sophia Dixon-Ross and kills from Kinley Smith, but the Rams would hold on to a small lead. Timberline would even things up 8-8 before going on a four-point run aided by an ace from Leia Dela Cruz and a kill from Kinley Smith. They would maintain this lead and expand it as the set went on. North Thurston would bring the score close with Kaelani Adams and Abby Losey collecting kills, but Timberline stretched the lead too far. The set would end with a four-point run to end the set with kills from Miya Jackson, Kinley Smith, and Sophia Dixon-Ross. Timberline would take set one 25-17
2nd Set
North Thurston would score four straight to start the set and never gave the lead up. Losey would rack up two kills and a block in that time while the defense led by libero Jaeda Cruz and Jazlyn Strachan. The offense caught fire for the Rams and while Timberline would make small runs here and there, they could never even the score. The North Thurston lead would get up to nine at one point, and everyone started to have a hand in the success. Audrey Krocker and Ava Almonte would collect blocks while Kaelani Adams delivered with thunderous kills. Kinley Smith, Miya Jackson, and Kinley Zimmerman were helping the offense for Timberline while Leia Dela Cruz and Jovie Lind held down the back line defense. In the end, though, North Thurston did enough and took set two 25-19 to tie the game 1-1 going into set three
3rd Set
The third set was dead even all the way down to the last points, with neither team getting the edge. North Thurston would take a small lead early on with kills from Ava Almonte and Kaelani Adams, and although the lead never got too substantial, they kept it for the first half of the set. The defense for both teams was going toe to toe with amazing saves over and over again. This defense locked both teams into a tight race for the set. A three-point run from Timberline would give them momentum after points from Leia Dela Cruz and Kinley Smith. Back and forth the teams went and showed why they are two of the best in the 3A classification. With the set tied 23-23, Timberline would score the final two points with back-to-back kills from Kinley Smith. Timberline would take set three 25-23 and lead 3-1 going into set four.
4th Set
Like every other set before, both teams would exchange points nonstop for the first half of the set. The defense for both squads was firing on all cylinders, and the high-octane offenses were fighting it out at the net. A five-point run midway through the set would change everything for Timberline as Kinley Smith would have three kills paired with two aces from Jovie Lind. They would stretch the lead to seven points and not look back. North Thurston hung in there, but the offense was too much once they caught momentum. Timberline would take set four 25-18 and win the game 3-1.
Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Game
The Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the game went to Kinley Smith, who was unstoppable at the net for Timberline. She punished the ball whenever she had the chance and racked up an unbelievable 39 kills over four sets. Dominance that is rarely seen on a volleyball court, and there was no question who the MVP was going to be. Not only did she have almost half of the Timberline points by herself, but she also was great on defense too, with many saves throughout the game. She showed that she is one of the best players in the state; her 39 kills should put everyone on notice. Dominance from start to finish.
What’s Next?
Timberline will face Peninsula High School on the road on Tuesday, October 13th with a 7:15 start time. North Thurston will face River Ridge High School at home on Thursday, October 8th with a 7:15 start time.
Stats
Timberline:
- Kinley Smith – 39 Kills
- Miya Jackson – 11 Kills
North Thurston:
- Abigail Losey – 18 Kills, 2 Blocks
- Kaelani Adams – 12 Kills
Click here for the link to the full game replay (Subscription Required)
West 42 Post-Game Show
Game Highlights
Kaelani Adams and Kinley Smith Exchange Points for Their Teams
Great Rally Ending in Kinley Smith Kill
Back-to-Back Kills for Abby Losey to Take the Lead in Set Four
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