10/30/25

Lakes 3, North Thurston 1

(Lakewood, WA) The #13-ranked in the RPI Lakes faced the number #1-ranked in a league matchup for the ages. North Thurston came into the match undefeated and seemed unbeatable. They had already beaten Lakes earlier in the year, but Lakes had only gotten better since then. Lakes is also one of the best teams in the 3A classification, but the question loomed if anyone could take down the North Thurston Rams. Lakes, on their senior night, put on a show and let the volleyball world know they are not to be underestimated. One of the biggest upsets in all of volleyball and one of the greatest games you will see went down in Lakewood, Washington.

Set One

North Thurston’s best set of the night was in the first set. The beginning was close, and Moki Filiaga and Marley Alefaio for Lakes got their night started early, as well as Addy Conner for North Thurston. Both teams traded points back and forth, but the Rams slowly started to pull away. With help from Conner and Abby Losey, the Rams jumped out to a six-point lead. The Lancers tried to claw their way back as Jeny Solomua caught fire midway through the set, but it wasn’t enough. North Thurston would win set one 25-18 and take a 1-0 set lead.

Set Two

Set two was likely the biggest set of the night, because if the Lancers lost it, they would be down 2-0 against the best team in the state. Knowing how big the game and set were, Lakes stepped up to the task. Lakes got an early 3-0 lead with kills by Marley Alefaio and Jeny Solomua. Rams would bring it within two before a 6 point run from the Lancers opened the game up for Lakes. Kerra Tualamali’i and Karsyn Alefaio played a big part in that point streak with both having massive kills.

Lakes did not look back and got to a ten point lead on North Thurston. This is the set where Marley Alefaio came alive. She showed complete dominance on the front lines for Lakes. North Thurston managed to get within 3 points but Alefaio closed it out with a big kill for the win. Lakes tied the game 1-1 after the 28-18 set two victory.

Set Three

The momentum did not die for Lakes in set three. Karsyn Alefaio stared the set serving and instantly got two back-to-back aces as well as a kill from Marley Alefaio. Just like that, a deficit was created for the Rams. North Thurston kept the set close as Abby Losey and Addy Conner picked up some steam. The game stayed within a couple points for each team before another sic point swing from Lakes. With Marley at the serving line, Moki Filiaga and Charli Prosser led the way to take the 18-12 lead. North Thurston scored four points in a row to bring the game within three.

Marley Alefaio continued her offensive onslaught though and was too much for the Rams to overcome. Jeny Solomua delivered a beautiful behind the head, misdirection set where no one was to close the set out. Lakes took set three 25-22 and was the first team to win two sets against North Thurston all year. Lakes entered set four with a 2-1 set lead.

Set Four

This was the biggest set of the year for Lakes and maybe in all of 3A volleyball in Washington. A chance to defeat the number one ranked team going into playoffs is a dream scenario for the Lancers. This set was defined by the defense of both teams as spectacular plays happened left and right. As well as the offensive performances from Marley Alefaio for Lakes and Addy Conner for North Thuston. This was the closest set of the night with the lead for wither team never being more than two or three. A back-and-forth war to see who would take the fourth set unfolded before our very eyes.

It seemed like everyone had a part in the battle of these two teams from defesnive brilliance to offensive dominance. It all came down to Lakes with a 24-22 lead, only needing one point for the win. Jeny Solomua would set the ball up to Moki Filiaga who hit the ball as hard as she could. The ball flew so fast that North Thurston’s labero Anna Sheeran couldn’t move out of the way in time. Lakes gets the win on the kill from Filiaga and defeats the #1 ranked team in 3A and in the PSL Nisqually, and giving the Rams their first loss of the season. This was one of the best games you will see on a volleyball court. Possibly the biggest win in all of volleyball in the state. A night to remember for all Lakes fans and especially the seniors who celebrated their senior night with a historic win.

MVP and Stats

Our Thorbecks MVP of the game was none other than Marley Alefaio. One of the best individual performances of the year against the best team. She had 16 kills and 5 blocks along with outstanding defensive play. Brilliance at the hands of Alefaio. Moki Filiaga had 9 points to her name on the night. Jeny Solomua had 6 points and set her power hitters up for success all night. Charli Prosser had multiple kills and block as well for the Lancers. Karsyn Alefaio had 7 kills and 2 aces with some highlight defensive plays. All around great performances for Lakes as they get the massive win against the Rams.

For North Thurston, Addy Conner was unstoppable for most of the night. She had 19 kills in the game for the Rams. Abby Losey had 11 points and played great defense. Anna Sheeran and Tiana Orffer had stelar nights of defense as well. Samantha Humphrey got it done on both sides of the ball all night for the Rams too.

North Thurston played extremely well and kept every set close. It was just Lake’s night and they brought the storm to the Rams in a way that no other team has. North Thurston will be facing Timberline at home on Tuesday, November 4th with a 7:15pm start time. Lakes will take on Capital on Tuesday, November 4th on the road with a 7:15 start time.

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ESN Post Game Show

Game Highlights

Addy Conner with the Kill to Win Set One for North Thurston

Marley Alefaio Wins Set Two with Big Kill for Lakes

Jeny Solomua with the Backwards Misdirection to Win Crucial Set Three for Lakes

Moki Filiaga Wins the Game for Lakes in Set Four with Massive Kill