By Jacob H. Pollon
The Sierra Canyon girls volleyball team wrapped up another successful week with victories against Santa Barbara and Redondo Union.
There was tense drama Thursday night in the South Bay as the Trailblazers were down two sets to one and clawed back for a crazy five set victory against the previously unbeaten Sea Hawks 25-20, 24-26, 19-25, 25-18, 15-13.
Hawaii-bound Maddie Way had 20 kills, six blocks, five digs and an ace to lead Sierra Canyon. Way proved huge in the fifth set with key kills and blocks at the net.
“Maddie was fantastic tonight,” Sierra Canyon coach Stefanie Wigfall said. “She came up clutch.”
Boston College-bound Danica Rach had 18 kills, 15 digs and an ace.
Sade Ilawole had 57 assists, two kills and three blocks. San Diego-commit Lauren Lynch added 26 digs.
Hanna McGinest, a talented freshman, was relentless from the left side and her kill ended the match, giving Sierra Canyon the win by the slimmest of margins.
The Trailblazers were up a set and led 9-2 in the second set before Redondo pulled together and made things very interesting.
Tuesday’s 13, 16, 15 sweep against Santa Barbara featured eight kills, 10 digs and three aces from McGinest.
Shyla Williams had six kills, six digs and an ace. Lynch had 14 digs, four aces and a kill.
Ilawole had 22 assists.
Sierra Canyon is now 9-3 overall and 2-0 in five -set matches. The only three setbacks for the Trailblazers came in Hawaii against Cornerstone Christian of Texas, Huntington Beach and Mira Costa, all quality top-level programs.