Peninsula loses to Lakes in three straight games

Seahawks missing intensity that led to big win last month

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

Sometimes they’ve been intense, and other times they’ve been flat.

Lately, it’s been a flip of the coin as to which Peninsula volleyball team will show up: The one that rallied to beat a tough Capital opponent in five games two weeks ago, or the one that was swept by Lakes at home last week during a Class 3A South Puget Sound League match.

One thing is certain: If Peninsula (4-4 overall, 1-1 league) doesn’t start playing more consistently — four of its next five are league matches — then any shot of advancing to the West Central District III tournament will fade quicker than they’d hoped.

And that’s because the SPSL is stacked, once again, with playoff contenders Auburn Moutainview, Bonney Lake and Enumclaw.

Peninsula struggled against Lakes, which features Colorado State recruit Deedra Foss, falling 25-21, 25-17, 25-23.

Foss finished with 13 kills, seven blocks, 18 digs, three aces and 18 assists, and she anchored the Lancers in the final game to complete the sweep.

Peninsula trailed early in the first game before closing the gap to 24-21. They also rallied following a double-digit deficit in game two.

Seahawks head coach Ann Lovrovich said they came out flat and Lakes played well.

“We can’t play great, then play terrible,” Lovrovich said. “Every (league) game is going to be hard. We have lots to go.”

Peninsula’s Natalie Brundage had a team-high 11 kills, but the team struggled to find a rhythm offensively.

Lovrovich said the Seahawks played better during the final game, but the intensity was missing from the first two.

“When the chips are down, they want to fight, but why do they have to be down?” Lovrovich asked. “And why were we ahead and we couldn’t keep the lead (during the third game)?”

The Seahawks were set to play North Thurston (4-4, 0-1 Western Cascade Conference) after press time on Tuesday.

Peninsula will travel to Buckley to play the White River Hornets (2-5, 2-0 SPSL) at 7:15 p.m. Thursday at White River High School.