OTHELLO – The Othello Huskies Volleyball team (7-9) earned a big 3-0 win for their senior night against the Quincy Jacks (0-14) to finish out the season. This win helps improve the Huskies’ standings as they head into the district tournament. 

“I feel like it was our last chance to give it our all and play for the regular season, so we were really excited and we just came in with that mentality,” said Huskies senior Alizay Pruneda. “Great game, pushed hard, and we finished it in three sets.” 

The Huskies started out strong against the Jacks, pulling out an early lead in the first set and winning 25-14. The Huskies carried this momentum into the second set where they held possession of the ball throughout, earning a 25-5 victory over the Jacks. 

The Jacks rallied in the third set, taking an early lead over the Huskies and overall putting up a strong performance on both sides of the ball. The Huskies quickly rebounded to steal the lead and would take the final set 25-15, ending the game 3-0. 

“It was very emotional, but it was a lot of fun and I feel like we fought really hard for all of us seniors,” said Huskies senior Chloe Purdy.  

Purdy said the team found success from their high energy and working together to celebrate each other’s accomplishments. 

The big lesson for the Huskies to take out of this game was the importance of playing together and not giving up, said Pruneda. These lessons will be even more important as they head into the post-season. 

“We’re feeling really good about (the post-season),” she said. “If we can stay together as a team and just work harder than normal, I think we can do it.” 

Huskies head coach Steve Parris said the team did a great job serving and got on a system that allowed them to score effectively. They also effectively got to cycle out each of their players, which allowed the starters to get some rest. 

“We were able to get everybody in today, we were able to get everybody in some significant time,” said Parris. 

He said the biggest aspect of the game that the Huskies were working on in preparation for Wednesday’s game was making sure that when the opponent serves, they don’t allow more than one point. 

As the Huskies head into the postseason, Parris said the team is going to put a focus on working on individual players. He said at this point in the season the Huskies now have the opportunity to have the five coaches working with volleyball focused on the varsity players and working on individual skills. 

“I see some great things out of this and so what I want to see is consistency for us to put points together in a longer stretch so that we can be competitive in every single set that we do,” said Parris.  

Jacks head coach Chelsea Wallace said she was proud of the resilience that the team showed in the third set. She said the Jacks knew this would be a tough matchup for them as the Huskies played in their senior night, but the Jacks held on and dug deep.  

“I think just heart and hustle and really understanding that in order to make a team function you have to really believe in each other and work together as a team and that’s what they did in that third set,” said Wallace.  

She said this was a season of trials and tribulations with some major injuries that hit the team, losing both their starting outside hitter and their middle. Despite these losses the Jacks still worked hard and pushed themselves this season. 

The entire Jacks squad showed great grit and tenacity this season, said Wallace. It was hard, but they all learned a little bit each game. 

“I want to give a special shout-out to the seniors,” she said. “I’ve had the pleasure to coach them for four years and so being able to see them off their senior year was really special.” 

For the returning Jacks players next season, Wallace said the team will focus on building that winning culture and putting the work in the offseason to build up what will be a young Jacks team next season. 

This game not only marked the final game of the regular season for the Huskies but also potentially the final home game for the seniors. Pruneda said while it’s a sad moment as this team has meant a lot to her these past four years, she is ready to also see what the next chapter of her life has in store. 

Purdy said one of the things she will look back on fondly is the cheers she would do with her teammates during each of the games. 

“It's very sad, very overwhelming, but I had a lot of fun in my four years,” said Purdy. 

The first games of the Central Washington Athletic Conference District 5 tournament will take place Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. Who and where each of the teams that made the district tournament is playing will be available at a later date. 

BOX SCORE:  

OTHL: 25-25-25: 3
QNCY: 14-5-15: 0 

    Huskies senior Shaylee Freeman bumps the ball back up during Wednesday’s game against the Jacks. Huskies head coach Steve Parris said the team did a great job not allowing the Jacks to score more than once on a serve.
  

    Abbie Douglas, a senior for the Huskies, prepares to spike the ball against the Jacks during Wednesday’s matchup. Huskies head coach Steve Parris said the Huskies are going to keep working even harder as they prepare for the district tournament.
  

    Huskies senior Chloe Purdy gets ready to set the ball up for a big hit during Wednesday’s game against the Jacks. Purdy said it was an emotional game for the seniors, but the team found the energy to get the win.
  

    Senior Bella Garza for the Huskies serves the ball during the first set against the Jacks. Huskies senior Chloe Purdy said her favorite memories with the team are when her and Garza would do cheers together.
  

    Kailyn Lynch, a senior for the Jacks, prepares to hit the ball back to the Huskies during Wednesday’s matchup. Head coach Chelsea Wallace said she was proud of the resilience that the team showed in this game.
  

    Jacks senior Karyme Flores prepares to serve the ball during their matchup against the Huskies. Jacks head coach Chelsea Wallace said the Jacks worked to push past their trials that they faced this season.
  

    Senior Zy Stephens for the Jacks responds to a serve from the Huskies during Wednesday’s game. Jacks head coach Chelsea Wallace said it has been special to work with this group of seniors.