10/20/2026
Puyallup 3, Graham-Kapowsin 3 (21-25, 25-14, 26-24, 15-25, 15-11)
(Puyallup, WA) The regular season is coming to an end, so these matches are exceptionally important. Starting the night, Emerald Ridge and Curtis were tied at 8-0 each. Just behind were Graham-Kapowsin and Puyallup, tied for 3rd at 6-2. Both teams have lost to the top 2 teams, which made this match with the winner in the driver’s seat to hold 3rd place. Both teams were top-ten teams in the RPI, with GK at #9 and Puyallup at #6. What unfolded was a back-and-forth thriller and one of the best games of the year, but in the end only one could come out on top.
1st Set
From the get-go, both teams showed why they are ranked so highly in the RPI and why their league is so tough. The offense got going for GK and Puyallup with early kills from GK’s Lillyokalani Ioane and Puyallup’s Talia Tumama Vargas. Kyndal Scott and Brynn Schock both continued the offensive success for the Eagles while the defense kept things close with Carmen Stewart and Arianna Sei leading the charge. Amelia Guardipee and Ava Knapp were the early forces for Puyallup, which never let the lead go beyond a couple of points for most of the set. The set would be tied 19-19 before a five-point stretch from GK with two kills from Anastasiia Zagurna, two blocks from Brynn Schock, and a point from Arianna Sei. Graham Kapowsin would take the first set 25-21.
2nd Set
Puyallup came out hot to start the second set, with multiple kills from Ava Knapp and Melayna Volkman, who was a large part of Puyallup’s second-set success. The defense of GK kept things close but would trail 9-6 before a four-point run by the Vikings that extended the lead. Brynn Schock and Lillyokalani Ioane would help GK stay within reach, but Puyallup caught too much of a rhythm. The offense held strong while the defense did not allow the Eagles to come back, led by Sam Pirillis and Kennedy Guinn. Puyallup would go on another run late and would end the set with a Talia Tumama Vargas kill to take the set 25-14 and tie the game 1-1.
3rd Set
With things tied going into the third, both teams were in a deadlock from the first serve on. Constant lead changes that never saw the score go beyond one for the first 11 points of the set for both teams. Puyallup would go on a small run with kills from Malayna Volkman and a kill and block from Ava Knapp that swung the pendulum slightly in the Vikings’ favor. They would extend their lead to five as the set progressed, but GK was steadily coming back. Arianna Sei and Carmen Stewart became the heroes for the Eagles with their amazing defense, with multiple diving saves and moments where they somehow kept the possessions alive. Small runs here and there for GK would force a win-by-two scenario, but Puyallup would quickly secure those two points with kills from Melayna Volkman and Rilyn Kerlee. Puyallup took set three 26-24 and led 2-1 going into set four.
4th Set
The fourth set was dominated by Graham Kapowsin from the very start. While leading 5-4, GK would go on a seven-point run aided by blocks from Adelyn Johnson and Brynn Schock as well as kills from Carmen Stewart and Schock. This opened the set up for the Eagles, who never looked back. Their defense was as good as ever, and while Puyallup tried to make late comebacks with Amelia Guardipee catching fire, the damage was done. GK would coast their way to a set four win, taking it 25-15, and tie the game 2-2 to send it to a fifth set.
5th Set
It all came down to the fifth set and, to be expected, it was as competitive as ever. Lillyokalani Ioane got things going for GK with two early kills and a block while Melayna Volkman and Rilyn Kerlee got early kills for Puyallup. With the set tied 5-5, Puyallup would string together four straight points, which turned the game around for the Vikings and gave them massive momentum. In that time, Amelia Guardipee had two kills as she began to take over the game. While the offense was rolling, it was the defense for both squads that was exquisite.
The rallies became longer and longer, and it was truly a coin flip of who would take a possession time and time again. Puyallup would find themselves at match point, leading 14-10, and after one of the best rallies of the night, Amelia Guardipee would send the ball over the net for the win. The Vikings won 15-11 in set five and took the game 3-2 in one of the best games fans will see all year.
Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Game
The Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the game went to Amelia Guardipee, who was one of the biggest factors in the success of Puyallup, especially in the later sets where at times she was a one-woman wrecking crew. She tallied 15 kills in the game and scored the game-winning kill. She’s not only an offensive force, but also one of the best defenders on the court. When she isn’t scoring, she is making great saves, setting, and directing her team, which ended up getting them their biggest win of the year.
What’s Next?
Graham Kapowsin will face South Kitsap High School at home on Wednesday, October 21st with a 7:00 pm first serve. Puyallup will face Bonney Lake High School at home on Wednesday, October 21st with a 7:00 pm first serve.
Link to watch full game replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
West 42 Sports Postgame Show
Video Highlights
Puyallup Wins The Game After Crazy Rally Off Amelia Guardipee Point
Clutch Kills from Amelia Guardipee and Block From Talia Tumama Vargas in Set Five
Lillyokalani Ioane with the Spectacular Save
Anastasiia Zagurna With Back to Back Aces
Kills From Rilyn Kerlee and Melayna Volkman Win Set Three for Puyallup
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