10/27/2026
Timberline 3, North Thurston 1 (25-21, 25-16, 20-25, 25-16)
(Lacey, WA) Two of the very best volleyball teams in the 3A classification reside in Lacey, Washington and they would meet under one roof on Tuesday night in a highly anticipated rematch. Back on October 6th, the Timberline Blazers solidified themselves as state title contenders with a four set win over reigning 3A state champions in the North Thurston Rams. Weeks went by and both teams just won during that time period as they met up for a rematch at Timberline High School. A rivalry renewed set the table for a massive opportunity for North Thurston to get some revenge or for Timberline to become the power in 3A volleyball in the Puget Sound League.
1st Set
The opening set was very back-and-forth as North Thurston and Timberline traded points with neither going on a substantial run. Abigail Losey was off to a fast start for the Rams early on while Kelci Teo also handled the far side of the net with a great angle for the lefty attacker. Kinley Smith was tremendous as always for Timberline as Lilly Grant was also off to a tremendous start as the senior duo paced the scoring for the Blazers. Timberline opened the lead to 11-8 but North Thurston rattled off four points in a row with Losey serving. There were some terrific rallies early as well but a three-point run at the service line for Jovie Lind put Timberline up 21-17. They would be able to coast from there as Kinley Zimmerman smashed home a set-winning kill to give the opening set to Timberline 25-21.
2nd Set
It was very much more of the same even and balanced play in the second set but some new players on each side began to get involved. Kaelani Adams and Ava Almonte started to be more involved at the net for North Thurston while Leia Dela Cruz was setting everything with pinpoint precision for Timberline. Both back lines got tested more with Jovie Lind and Islee Rebelez leading the defense of the Blazers while Jaeda Cruz and Jazlyn Strachan answered on the back line for North Thurston. Miya Jackson was the biggest breakout star of the second as she took over for the Blazers at the net. It was a nine-point run at the service line for Jovie Lind with three aces included that helped Timberline run away with the second set. taking it 25-16 to go up 2-0.
3rd Set
While the third set also started even with a 5-5 score, it was North Thurston going on a tremendous run early on to open up a lead as they needed a set victory to keep the match alive. It was Genesis Ngo leading the charge at the service line with six points in a row that were earned by North Thurston just not making mistakes. Putting the pressure on Timberline and forcing their timeouts early, the Rams were not going to go down without a fight and the blocks at the net from Kelci Teo and Alena Fairley pushed North Thurston well out in front. As Timberline made a late run, Jaeda Cruz served four points in a row to give the Rams some breathing room as North Thurston took the third set 25-20 to keep the match alive.
4th Set
It was an early run for Timberline in the fourth set that put this one away. Once again, Jovie Lind was the star for Timberline with eight consecutive points serves from the line with three more aces all while burning North Thurston’s timeouts. Miya Jackson continued to be a monster at the net but Kinley Smitch took the match over in the fourth. Timberline would have five aces in the fourth set with two coming from Lilly Grant as well. The hot start took the wind out of the sails of North Thurston as Timberline pulled away to win the fourth and final set 25-16 to take the match 3-1.
Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Match
Our Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Match went to senior libero Jovie Lind for the Timberline Blazers. She was outstanding on the back line all match long for the Blazers as a key defensive specialist. However, she was somehow even better at the service line as she served 23 points in the match for Timberline with 9 aces as well. Lind was simply incredible on a massive stage for the Blazers on Tuesday.
What’s Next?
The win keeps Timberline perfect on the season at 13-0 and 8-0 in Puget Sound League play. The Blazers will be tested again on Thursday when they visit the Lakes Lancers at 7:15pm. North Thurston falls to 11-4 and 7-2 in league play. They will be off the rest of the week before hosting Lakes on Tuesday at 7:15pm in a very important match for seeding purposes.
Link to watch full game replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
West 42 Sports Postgame Show
Video Highlights
Timberline Takes Set 1
Timberline Ties Second Set on Long Rally
North Thurston Pulls Ahead in Set 3
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