The Federal Aviation Administration was effectively absent from the Granite Falls airspace on Wednesday, as a sophomore player dominated the Mariner volleyball team’s performance.
Aminata Jobe assumed control of the court during the second set, handling nearly every attempt by Granite Falls to send the ball over the net. Following a routine bump that gave Mariner a 14-10 advantage, Jobe recorded three of the team’s next four points through blocks, extending the lead to 18-12 before a break in play.
Reactions from teammates on the bench and in the stands grew increasingly animated with each block at the net. When Jobe exited the court during the timeout, she was met with playful nudges from her peers.
"It is a lot of fun," Jobe stated. "Every time I go up to block, I just pray. And then every time I get in the huddle, they just start pushing me around."
Following the break, Mariner executed a seven-point run to secure the second set, ultimately sweeping the match 3-0 with set scores of 25-13, 25-13, and 25-17. The Marauders improved their record to 4-2, while the Granite Falls Tigers fell to 1-4.
With only six matches played, Mariner has already accumulated as many victories as it did in the previous four seasons combined. The program finished the last season with a 1-15 overall record and a 0-12 mark in the Wesco 4A league, having also gone winless in 2023 and 2024.
First-year head coach Drew Hekler noted that the team is exhibiting greater intensity and higher goals. Hekler, a longtime observer of the sport, described the current roster as the strongest Mariner squad he has witnessed across all levels of the team. He indicated that the team is on track for the best season in program history, based on available historical data.
Hekler attributed the success to the players' motivation and cohesion rather than his own tactics. He explained that he will claim credit for the latter half of the season, noting that the current group entered the year highly motivated, positive, and eager to play. He emphasized that the players respect one another and each individual on the court.
From the players' perspective, a shift in collective mentality has improved the program's standing. Last season, the objective was simply to win a single set after failing to do so in 2024. This year, the focus is on collaborating to win complete matches.
"I think just the connection has gotten so much stronger," said senior setter Madison Clarke. "I'm a senior, so just seeing it throughout the three years, we've all really gotten really close together, and it shows on the court as well."
Jobe led the team with 11 kills and six blocks. Clarke contributed 31 assists. Junior Ysabelle Duran recorded 23 digs, while junior Ellie Zubanova (six kills) and sophomore Sofia Savchuk (four kills) each served five aces.
For Granite Falls, sophomore Brooke Mackie posted six digs and three kills. Junior Caleigh Rice also recorded three kills.
The Tigers remained competitive through the first 20 points of each set, trailing by only four points (12-8) in every instance. However, Mariner consistently extended its lead. Having returned just one varsity player from the previous season, Granite Falls is still assembling its roster for the current year.
Tigers struggle to contain Marauders’ offense in season-opening sweep
Sequim’s volleyball team showed resilience but ultimately fell short in neutralizing Mariner’s attacking efficiency, according to their head coach. The Tigers admitted to learning through observation as they identified patterns in their missteps and areas for improvement moving forward.
Mariner opened the match with a display of roster depth, as several regulars were unavailable early on. In their absence, junior varsity players filled key roles without missing a beat. After an even start that tied the score at eight apiece, a cluster of unforced errors from Granite Falls allowed the visitors to seize control and build a four-point edge. A quick sequence saw senior Kumba Njie convert two assists from teammate Clarke before Jobe added a pair of kills, sealing a five-point surge.
Njie contributed a service ace in the midst of two points from Katelyn Cahyadi, and Clarke delivered the final touch on a kill to wrap up the first set, 25–13.
“It was encouraging to see how quickly they integrated with us, we’d only had a brief practice session the day before,” said Clarke. “They committed fully to the match and did their part without hesitation.”
The Tigers opened the second frame ahead, 6–3, but Mariner countered with a pair of defensive stops from senior Kandrae Pullen to regain momentum and take a narrow lead. Savchuk’s ace, followed by back-to-back kills from Zubanova, extended the advantage, and Jobe controlled the net with consistent pressure to claim the second set, again by a 25–13 margin.
“Playing unselfishly, for one another rather than just ourselves, made the difference,” Jobe noted. “Making thoughtful decisions and executing them with purpose helps us stay ahead.”
The third set began similarly to the first, with Granite Falls gaining early ground to lead 7–3. Savchuk stepped in as the catalyst, recording two aces and a kill to ignite a six-point run that flipped the scoreboard. As the Tigers clawed back from a three-point deficit, Clarke set up a Zubanova finish, then served three straight aces to push ahead, 16–9.
Though the home squad narrowed the gap to three points, Mariner’s coach opted to keep the momentum by mixing seasoned starters with the reserves who had performed well earlier. A sophomore, Genesis Martinez Gonzalez, helped extend the lead with a Njie finish, while Jobe followed with three consecutive service aces to stretch the margin to eight. Njie delivered the final blow with two more kills, each set up by different teammates, Duran and Clarke, to clinch the third set, 25–17, and complete the sweep.
With the team now sporting its best start in recent years, confidence has become a defining trait across the roster.
“They’ve earned that belief in themselves,” said Hekler.
Jobe offered a bold take, adding, “Any team facing us should feel some level of unease.”
Hekler and Clarke offered supporting reactions, a thoughtful smile and a chuckle, respectively, while emphasizing that the comment reflected Jobe’s personal perspective rather than a collective team stance.