ROYAL CITY – The Royal Knights (8-9) finished their regular season with a 3-0 win over Kiona-Benton on the road. Their win solidified the Knights for a fifth-place tie in the South Central Athletic Conference, Head Coach Lisa Lawrence said.   

“It was a day of growth for the team,” Lawrence said. “We had come off a great win against College Place on Thursday, we didn't play quite as well on Tuesday, but we pulled off the win, which is at the end of the day what matters most.”   

The Knights won the first set 25-18 to take a 1-0 match lead. Lawrence said it was a scrappy competition from the start. That proved to be true in the second set when the Knights had to go for an extra serve after Kiona-Benton tied the game 24-24. The Knights scored the next two points to win the set and take a 2-0 lead.   

“It all starts with a good pass. At the times when we were able to get a good pass and a good set, our hitters were having some success. But at times, we struggled to pull those three elements together. It's just getting everything in sync at the right time,” Lawrence said.  

Kiona-Benton continued to keep it close in the third set, but the Knights ultimately pulled away 25-22 to win the set and the game. Lawrence said games like they had against Kiona-Benton always serve as a good reality check. She said it reminds them not to take anything for granted and to continue to work hard no matter who they face.   

“It was just scrappy, and we needed to sharpen up our game just a little bit, so we struggled a little bit on serving and passing a little bit. We're really focused on improving those things in the next few days so that we're better able to compete this weekend,” Lawrence said.   

Lawrence said tougher games also contribute to building mental strength as a team. This is something they have been working on all season.   

“We've worked really hard on our mental game and just being scrappy and putting full effort into everything and looking at the positive side and the girls have come a long way,” she said.   

The Knights have improved their grit throughout their season in games where they pull out the win in a fifth set, Lawrence said. Experiences like that have challenged the players to persevere and believe they are not out of the game.   

Despite any blemishes on Tuesday’s game, Lawrence said she feels confident her players are beginning to peak at the right time.   

“We played a really great game last Thursday, and I think it was a sign that the girls are peaking at just the right time. I'm hoping (Tuesday) was an anomaly, but based on what we did on Thursday, I think I'm feeling like we're in a good spot heading into districts,” she said.   

With the regular season finished, the Knights head into the 1A district tournament as the eighth seed. They will face first Chelan on Nov. 1 at noon at Chelan.   

Lawrence anticipates a tough challenge against a top-ranked program like Chelan but said she knows her players will come prepared to compete. Lawrence named Graycie Kast, Madyn Smith and Ava Lawrence as key players to success this Saturday. She said those three have been productive as of late.  

Coupled with fine-tuning certain aspects of the game Tuesday, Lawrence said she looks forward to seeing what her players can do on the court.   

“Our girls are scrappy, they work hard, they don't give up, and so I think all of those things will help us compete in that game,” Lawrence said.   

BOX SCORE:   

ROYL: 25-26-25: 3
KBTN: 18-24-22: 0 

    Heaven Parker (8) leaps in the air to serve the ball against Cashmere earlier this season. The Knights are the eighth seed in the 1A district tournament and will face top seeded Chelan on Saturday.
  

    The Knights bench cheers on their team after scoring a point. Head Coach Lisa Lawrence said her players are scrappy and show a lot of fight, which will benefit them in the postseason.
  

    Michelle Woodward (12) serves the Knights. Head Coach Lisa Lawrence said their win against Kiona-Benton served as a reality check as they prepare for the district tournament.
  

    The Knights’ Darany Pineda (10) prepares for their next defensive rally. Head Coach Lisa Lawrence said her players have worked hard on mental strength this season.