9/19/25
Olympia 3, Tumwater 0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-17)
(Tumwater, WA) Two teams just miles apart met head-to-head as the Olympia Bears took on the Tumwater Thunderbirds on the road. Both teams’ seasons had gotten off to great starts as Tumwater came in undefeated at 5-0, and Olympia at 4-2. Kennedy Croft for Tumwater is a first-year head coach who is already making a name for herself. She won two state championships in volleyball at Tumwater High School and has already led her team to an undefeated start in her coaching tenure. Christie Oldright for the Bears has also demonstrated her coaching prowess since taking over in 2022. Placing twice in the state since taking over the head coaching position. Both teams demonstrated why they are highly respected in their respective classifications, leaving it all on the court in a great night of volleyball.
Set one would begin with each team exchanging points until Olympia’s Elyse Juergens went up to serve, leading 2-1. Olympia would score four straight unanswered points, with Stella Sheeran having three kills of her own. Addison Wilson would also start her night hot, scoring a point to put the finishing touch on what would be a huge run for the Bears. Olympia would get their lead up to 6-1 and would really never look back. Tumwater would try its best to dig into the lead and bring the score within three. Olympia would come right back with a three-point run as Kate Wolter was at the serving line. Olympia would completely break open the set as Ellie Johnson would be up to serve. The Bears scored 5 straight to take an 18-8 lead. Tumwater was put into a tough position and did their best to make a comeback, but the damage was done. Olympia won set one 25-15 and took the 1-0 lead.
The two teams started much closer. Both teams are trading points back and forth up until the tenth point. Elyse Juergens would be up to serve with the Bears leading 11-10. After three unanswered points from the Bears, with a huge help from Addison Wilson. She had three blocks for points back to back to back. This helped Olympia open the lead up and put the T-Birds on the back foot. Tumwater’s Tove Hugus played a large part in the T-Birds offense as she had five kills in set two alone. She was a large reason why Tumwater was able to keep pace most of the night. Stella Sheeran would come to the serving line for the Bears leading 15-11. Olympia would get another big run with kills from Ellie Johnson and Addison WIlson. Sheeran would also get an ace. Another big hole created bu Olympia that Tumwater couldn’t crawl out of. The bears would win set two 25-17 and take a 2-0 lead.
Set three was the closest of all the sets. The score remained within one point all the way until Elyse Juergens took over the serve with Olympia leading 12-11. Addison Wilson score two straight kills and brought the lead to 14-12. A few possessions later, Stella Sheeran served two aces and three straight points to take a five point lead. the damage again was done and too much for Tumwater to overcome. Sets two and three were extremely close in early on. As the sets would progress however, Olympia would start to gain a rhythm and take over. Their power hitters up front and defensive specialists in the back were a well rounded unit all night. Olympia would take the third set 25-17 and sweep the T-Birds 3-0 for the win.
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MVP and Stats
Our MVP of the night went to Addison Wilson for the bears. She had a monster game with 10 kills and 3 blocks. She was ferocious all night on that front line and played a huge part in the win for Olympia.
Other notable players for the game were Stella Sheeran and Ellie Johnson for Olympia and Tove Hugus for Tumwater. Sheeran had 7 kills herself and 4 aces on the night. Johnson had 8 kills and 3 aces as well. Those three players for Olympia combined for an 25 points themselves which is an entire set. Tove Hugues for the T-Birds had herself a great game as well, totaling 8 kills and a block for Tumwater.
Both teams will be back in action soon as Olympia will face Rogers High School at home on Monday Sept. 22nd. Tumwater will face Curtis High School on the road next Thursday Sept. 25th.
ESN Post Game Show
Game Highlights
Addison Wilson Huge Kill to Win Set One
Tove Hugus with a Kill to Bring Score Within Four
Stella Sheeran Soft Touch Wins Set Two for Bears
