Another loss to the starting lineup took its toll as the Wolverines faltered at home in a four-game loss Oct. 20 to Mount Vernon Christian.
The Wolverines (2-9 league, 2-12 overall) got a boost with the return of senior Ali Wade and junior Rachel Hay to a starting rotation that’s been snake-bit by injuries and illnesses from the start of the season.
But the loss of junior Zoe LaRiviere to illness forced Friday Harbor to shuffle its rotation and battle the Hurricanes with another patchwork lineup featuring first-year players.
The Hurricanes grabbed an early 1-0 advantage by tallying seven consecutive points to clinch the first game. The Wolverines evened the match at 1-1 as Wade and senior Kayla Short dominated play down the stretch in Game 2.
Friday Harbor fell behind early in the pivotal third game and a late-game rally fell short as Mount Vernon Christian seized a 2-1 game advantage in the best of five-game match. The Hurricanes clinched the match after tallying four consecutive points to post a 25-19 victory in what had been a see-saw battle up until the end.
“Sometimes we don’t move like we should and just seem to get stuck in the wrong position,” Wade said. “We have to be more mindful of where the other players are.”
Mount Vernon Christian improved to 5-4 in league play; game scores were: 25-17, 22-25, 25-19, 25-19.
The Wolverines fared no better on the road Thursday against Darrington, third-place in the Northwest 1A/2B League standings. The Loggers (7-3) claimed the match with ease in handing Friday Harbor its ninth loss in league play.
The Wolverines wrap up their regular-season schedule Tuesday at home against league-leading La Conner, which came into the match undefeated in league play — and without having lost a single game against a league opponent.
The Braves, a perennial league powerhouse and Division 2B playoff team, suffered their only defeat of the season in a five-game loss to Anacortes, a Division 2A team.
Next: Friday Harbor opens post-season play Saturday at Lynden Christian. The Lyncs (11-1 overall) are seeded No. 1 among District 1’s four Division 1A teams.
