Tiana Ramsey dives for a stop as Alyssa Marsh (front) and Hannah Hines (back) prepare to receive the pass.

ILWACO — Recovering gradually from a rough start, Ilwaco defeated Northwest Christian 16-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-13 on Oct. 21.

Playing without their regular libero, Sabrina Lessenden, and their energizing setter, Jaymie Patana, the Lady Fishermen had trouble connecting early as miscommunication left them slow to react. The Navigators (5-5, 3-4 in league play at week’s end) secured the opening set.

Early in the second, Alyssa Marsh got a cross-court kill to the corner, the Gators missed on some passes, and Ilwaco took a 6-1 lead. More communication struggles by Ilwaco let Northest back in it, and they eventually took leads of 17-16 and 19-18.

Sophia Marsh got the serve back in a 19-19 tie and never let it go. She had six straight aces as defenders swung late on her fastball, and the match was tied at one.

Ilwaco fell behind 10-4 in the third set, then came back for an 11-10 lead as Alyssa Marsh’s serving put the Gators on the defensive.

By the end of the set, Ilwaco was starting to find its game. Setter Hannah Hines led Kylie Gray to the net for an emphatic kill to go up 22-18. Katie Glasson followed with an ace to put the team up five, and Ilwaco won 25-20 to go up 2-1.

The Fishermen closed the match out with a dominant fourth set. A 5-0 run put them up 7-3. Sophia Marsh’s shot into the gap caused two defenders to collide, stretching the lead to 12-6. Alyssa Marsh’s emphatic cross-court kill high off the defender’s hands made it 17-9. Ilwaco continued expanding the lead for the 12-point win.

Ilwaco defeats Pe Ell

PE ELL — Ilwaco beat Pe Ell 25-21, 22-25, 26-24, 25-17 Thursday, Oct. 24. The Lady Fishermen improved to 6-1 in league play.

They close out the regular season at Raymond at 7:00 p.m. Oct. 30.

Their playoff season opens with the first two games of a double-elimination tournament Saturday, Nov. 2 at a time and place to be determined.