The Washington Demons wrapped up the volleyball season on a high note when they knocked off the Columbus Community Wildcats in four sets last night. After Washington cruised to a 25-9 victory in the first set, Columbus responded on their home floor and won the second set 25-20. But a close third-set win for Washington by the same score proved to be the turning point, as the Demons won the fourth set 25-12 as well to take the match.
Despite the loss, Columbus got a pair of excellent performances from seniors Victoria Howell and Sara Vela. In her final home match, Howell put up 10 kills, two aces and six digs. Vela finished with 18 assists, three aces, four digs and a block. The Wildcats had won three of their previous four coming into last night, but they hit a bit of speed bump to fall to 6-20 ahead of facing Cascade in the first round of the 2A-Region 7 playoffs on Monday.
Washington is on a roll of late, as along with the win last night, the Demons added a pair of victories earlier this week. Washington bounced back from close losses to Keokuk, Fairfield and Burlington to open the Southeastern Conference Tournament, responding with straight-set victories over Fort Madison and Mount Pleasant Tuesday evening.
In total for the SEC Tournament, freshman Leighton Messinger led the Demons with 42 kills and 50 digs, but she got plenty of help. Senior middle hitter Alex Murphy came up with 22 kills and 10 blocks, while senior Kenializ Espinoza added 26 kills and 31 digs. Freshman Taylor Miksch proved her versatility with 12 kills, four aces, 10 digs and three blocks. Sophomore Ella Greiner returned from injury for the two wins to put up 13 kills and 18 digs, while sophomore setter Lauren Hinrichsen orchestrated the show to the tune of 69 assists while adding six aces and 27 digs.
Washington closes the regular season winning three straight and five of its last seven to improve to 9-23. The Demons will open up the postseason by traveling to take on the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks in the 3A-Region 7 quarterfinals Monday night.