HS Volleyball: Timberline Gets League Win Over Gig Harbor

10/7/25

Timberline Blazers 3, Gig Harbor Tides 0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-14)

(Lacey, WA) The Timberline Blazers and Gig Harbor Tides each sat in the top half of their divisions in the PSL. Timberline took down Gig Harbor on the road last year, while the Tides were looking for revenge and a road win on Timberline’s floor. The two teams squared off in an important league match in their only regular-season battle against each other.

Gig Harbor took the first point off an Ellie Hawkins ace, but Timberline rattled off three points in a row for a 3-1 lead as Destiny Mars had an ace and Kinsley Smith got a kill. Gig Harbor rallied to tie it at three apiece as Payton Heim floated an ace for the Tides. Timberline jumped out to an 8-4 lead with Smith picking up multiple kills, and Jovie Lind and Emyah Riley each adding points for the Blazers. Gig Harbor made it an 8-6 lead for Timberline before the Blazers went on a 7-0 run to make it 15-6. Timberline kept adding to their lead with Mars, Riley, and Smith chipping in with points. Timberline’s Miya Jackson had a kill to make it 23-11, and on the next point, Angela Villa had an ace to make it 24-11. Gig Harbor held off the first set point, but Smith earned the final tally for the Blazers for a first-set victory of 25-12.

The two teams alternated points as Gig Harbor took the first point, and the Tides were helped out by Maddie Maharry. Gig Harbor took a 7-4 lead as Kaija Mackie recorded an ace, but Timberline bounced back to take an 8-7 lead. Gig Harbor tied it at eight with Hannah Artman winning a point, but Mars put Timberline back in front right away. The match was tied at nine before Timberline went on a 6-0 run to take a 15-9 lead with multiple blocks at the net and an ace from Mars. Miya Jackson and Kinsley Smith had back-to-back points for Timberline to make it 18-10. Gig Harbor went on a 4-0 run and forced a timeout from Timberline, but the Blazers quickly went up 21-14. Timberline had set point at 24-15, but Gig Harbor staved off four set points before Timberline got the set win at 25-19.

Timberline took a 7-2 lead early in the third set, with Destiny Mars getting another ace and Jovie Lind getting consecutive aces. Leia Dela Cruz got a point for Timberline to make it 9-4 and another one at 11-4. The teams traded points as Gig Harbor’s Piper Costa-Hodskins had some points for the Tides, but Timberline’s Smith, Dela Cruz, and Mars used their stellar hitting to keep racking up points for the Blazers. Selah Fernandez had a block that earned a point for Timberline at 17-9 before Mars had another ace, which forced a Gig Harbor timeout. Smith had back-to-back kills to make it 20-9, and Mars dropped in yet another ace for a 12-point lead. Timberline would eventually win the third set 25-14 and sweep the match 3-0.

The Sumner Holiday Inn Express Match MVP went to Timberline’s Kinsley Smith. Smith was phenomenal at hitting with power and precision. The junior also served very nicely and was a true all-around presence on the floor for the Blazers.

Destiny Mars just as easily could’ve won Match MVP, as her play was terrific all night long, especially serving up aces left and right. Timberline’s Emyah Riley had a great night at the net, and Leia Dela Cruz did her job setting up the hitters of Timberline.

Gig Harbor’s Piper Costa-Hodskins came in the match off the bench and was a bright spot for the Tides at the net, particularly in the second and third sets. Her presence was definitely felt, as was Hannah Artman’s and Payton Heim’s.

Timberline has improved to 7-3 overall and 7-2 in league play. The Blazers go on the road to face Bellarmine Prep on Thursday before ESN returns to stream their match against Lincoln next Wednesday.

Gig Harbor is now 5-4 on the season and in the PSL. The Tides will look to bounce back against Peninsula on Thursday.

Click here to view the full match replay (Subscription Required).