After losing a heartbreaking game to the Timberwolves three weeks ago, the Tigard volleyball team stepped up their game and earned a win against their rivals, Tualatin.

Tigard started their first game with a kill by middle hitter, senior Michelle Simmon, boosting their confidence enough to have a 6-2 lead within the first five minutes. After Tualatin got the ball back, the Tigers realized they needed to step it up again. Outside hitter, senior Lindsey Rosette then  made three consecutive kills, bringing the the Tigers up to 11-4. The Tigers maintained the win the whole entire game leaving the score of the first game at 25-14.

“Besides playoffs, this is the biggest game of the season so we knew we had to battle since we lost to them last time and we did battle so we came out with a win,” said outside hitter, sophomore Cassidy Erickson.

Although Tigard had a 5-0 lead on Tualatin in the second game, Tualatin came back and tied it 12-12. However, Tigard broke that tie and gained another win with the score being 25-18.

“Tualatin definitely stepped it up, but that was fine because so did we,” said Simmons.

In the third game, Tualatin stepped up their game even more and they started off with the lead this time with the score at 2-7. It didn’t take long for the Tigers to realize that they needed to step up their game as well. Simmons tied the game with another kill and then two minutes later, Tigard had a 17-11 lead on Tualatin with the help of libero, sophomore Jenna Horton’s serves, D.S., senior Kelcy Mullaly’s digs and Tualatin’s net violations. Soon after, Tigard had won their final game, 25-19.

“I am really proud of them for just letting the other team make the mistakes and shaking off all of their mistakes,” said head coach Robert Coelho. “I hope they can carry the confidence and energy they had tonight to their next match.”

The last time these rival teams met, Tualatin came out with the win but it was obvious that it was Tigard’s turn for victory.