Monroe volleyball overcame a deficit late in the fourth set to defeat Stanwood 3-2 on Monday, securing a significant victory in their conference schedule. The Bearcats, who improved to 4-0 in league play and 7-1 overall, closed out the contest with a 15-7 fifth-set win after the match was tied 2-2. This result carries substantial weight for both teams as they head into the remainder of the season, following a year in which Stanwood captured the Wesco North 3A/2A title after winning both regular-season meetings against Monroe, though Monroe had previously upset the Spartans in the District 1 3A semifinals.
Senior Shannara Peebles emerged as the pivotal player for Monroe, particularly in the final set. Although she dealt with knee pain during the match, she channeled her frustration into offensive production, recording six kills in the fifth set. Her performance was supported by strong defensive efforts from teammates, including seniors Maddie Walker and Avery Ray, who made critical digs to keep rallies alive. Monroe coach Jami Walker described the team’s approach as a "feed the beast" mentality, noting that the squad focused on getting the ball to Peebles, who delivered consistently.
The fifth set saw an early lead for Stanwood, who moved ahead 5-3 after a block by sophomore Wren Shorten ended a lengthy rally. However, Monroe quickly shifted momentum. Peebles and sophomore Makayla Prohn each recorded kills, while Prohn and senior Daphne Ryner combined for a double block to give the Bearcats an 8-5 advantage, prompting a timeout for Stanwood. Although the Spartans reclaimed part of the deficit, Monroe extended their lead with additional kills from Peebles.
Ray played a crucial role in the final stretch, hitting a second-shot attack into the back left corner to push Monroe’s lead to 12-7. She subsequently made a significant defensive dig and assisted Peebles for the 13-7 score. After Stanwood’s next attack hit the net, Ray served an ace to conclude the set and the match.
Statistics from the match showed Peebles leading Monroe with a game-high 25 kills and 13 digs. Maddie Walker contributed 27 digs and nine assists, while Ray recorded 16 assists, 15 digs, and two aces. For Stanwood, who finished 5-2 overall and 3-1 in league play, senior Whitney Longspaugh led with 19 kills and eight digs, and junior Ava Burton provided 16 assists and nine kills.
Maddie Walker reflected on the team’s cohesion, stating that the huddle before the final set energized every player. She noted that teammates celebrated their effort on every point, regardless of the outcome, emphasizing their collective hustle. Stanwood coach Megan Amundson acknowledged that her team began the match too tentatively, lacking the necessary intensity early on, but she praised the depth of Monroe’s lineup for their consistent effort throughout the game.
Monroe edges Stanwood in five-set thriller
Monroe’s volleyball squad secured a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Stanwood, overcoming inconsistency in serve receive and relying heavily on its outside hitters to close out the match.
The opener unfolded as a tightly contested battle, with neither side gaining more than a two-point advantage until Monroe broke open a 16–16 deadlock. A combined block by senior Kiah Dunbar and Prohn, followed by a Dunbar service ace, pushed the Bearcats ahead 24–21. Though Stanwood briefly trimmed the margin to one point after a net violation and a misdirected serve, a late error on a Stanwood service attempt sealed the first frame 25–23 for Monroe.
With twelve ties and four leadership swings, the first set demonstrated how momentum can shift quickly, and Monroe capitalized on its early energy. According to Peebles, entering with strong momentum often dictates the flow of the entire set.
The Bearcats built an early lead in the second set, but Stanwood responded with offensive production from Burton and senior Harper Neyens to take command at 12–8. Junior Lettie Millenaar’s ace and a Shorten block helped maintain a four-point edge at 15–11. Monroe extended its advantage to 19–13 after a well-timed kill from Longspaugh, set up by a resilient dig from junior Ariella Marie Doble. Back-to-back hitting errors widened the gap before Burton’s block and finishing strike gave Stanwood a 25–17 set win.
Stanwood surged ahead early in the third, but Monroe answered with a pair of service aces from freshman Hayley Kaldestad to take a 7–5 lead. A few unforced errors from the visitors, combined with a Peebles ace, extended the margin to 14–9. Ray’s diving dig and additional attacks from Kaldestad pushed the lead to seven points. Maddie Walker set up a decisive Peebles finish at 24–13, and a subsequent kill from Prohn capped the 25–15 set win.
The fourth set saw Monroe establish a 15–10 lead, but Stanwood mounted a late surge. Burton orchestrated back-to-back points with assists that led to kills, narrowing the gap to 21–20. However, three consecutive Monroe hitting errors handed Stanwood the upper hand. Burton assisted Longspaugh again to reach 24–21, and another Bearcats’ miscue forced a fifth and final set.
Both squads minimized errors in the deciding frame, trading points through several extended rallies. Monroe ultimately found its rhythm in the final stretch, pulling away for a hard-earned win.
The outcome marked a rewarding result for Monroe, whose depth and composure in high-pressure moments proved decisive.
I feel like this team comes in very aggressive, very confident in their abilities, a Sequim landlord said. And its really fun to knock them down a peg or two.