Raiders Battle Through North Region Invite

The Pierce College Raiders volleyball team competed in the North Region Invite this past weekend, facing a challenging slate of opponents and earning a statement win over Shoreline in the process.

The Raiders opened the tournament against the defending 2024 NWAC Champions, the Skagit Valley Cardinals, falling in three sets (13–25, 19–25, 14–25). Despite the loss, several players turned in strong performances, including Fiona Mallory with 5 kills and 5 digs, and Jaelynn Gross with 6 kills and 8 digs. Taylor Kilen anchored the defense with 10 digs, adding a service ace and an assist, while setter Rayley Peterson tallied 14 assists and 6 digs.

Pierce rebounded in their second match of the day, defeating Shoreline 3–1 in a thrilling, back-and-forth contest (22–25, 25–23, 25–23, 27–25). Mallory led the charge with 11 kills, 3 service aces, and 11 digs. Gross dominated at the net and in the back row with 16 kills, 13 digs, a solo block, and a block assist. Peterson directed the offense with 30 assists while also adding 20 digs and a kill, and Janaila Roeurth contributed 4 aces, 6 digs, a block assist, and a kill.

Day two brought more tough competition as the Raiders fell to Whatcom 0–3 (13–25, 24–26, 20–25) despite another strong showing from Gross, who posted 13 kills and 7 digs. Mallory added 2 kills, 1 assist, 1 ace, and 6 digs, while Audrey Fries and Roeurth each chipped in with timely plays at the net and service line.

In the tournament finale against Everett, Pierce came up short in straight sets (13–25, 16–25, 22–25). Gross continued her steady play with 9 kills and 8 digs, Mallory added 8 kills and 11 digs, and Kate Carlson anchored the back row with 17 digs. Roeurth once again provided a spark from the service line with 4 aces.

With the North Region Invite in the books, the Raiders now set their sights on their next challenge as they travel to Yakima Valley to face the Yaks at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26.