3PEAT!!! Raiders top Highline to capture 3rd straight West Region title!

Friday night was an emothion-filled night, from start to finish, as the Raiders said "good-bye" to their 9 sophomores, then went on to defeat the Highline Thunderbirds to capture the program's 3rd consecutive West Region title! The victory was another well-balanced team effort. Kava Durr had 13 kills, followed by Peyton Foster with 11, and Sidney Goodall with 10, in the Raiders' 3-1 victory over the #4 ranked Thunderbirds (27-29, 25-16, 25-22, 25-20). Goodall led the Raiders with a .269 hitting percentage, and Hattey Smith had a team-high 38 assists. In what was a solid defensive effort by both teams, Ainslee Eberlee had 25 digs, Peyton Foster had 19 digs, and Hattey Smith added 15.

The Raiders improved to a perfect 11-0 league record, and an astounding overall record of 32-2 on the season. A win over South Puget Sound, on Wednesday night, would earn the Raiders the distinction of being the only Pierce team - in any sport - to record back-to-back undefeated league seasons. Last year's squad went 14-0, and the 2017 team won their final 3 league matches. The Raiders have won 28 straight West Region matches.

This year's Raider Volleyball team joins Pierce's 2007-2011 Softball teams (5 straight), 1997-2000 Volleyball teams (4 straight), and 2011-2014 Baseball teams (4 straight), with 3 or more consecutive region titles. The Raiders Men's Soccer team captured 3 regional titles in 4 years; 1992, 1993, and 1995.

Prior to the match, the team's 9 sophomores were recognized with balloons, flowers, and gifts from their coaches and teammates, and received a warm ovation of thanks for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions over the past two years; Kava Durr, Peyton Foster, Sidney Goodall, Abby Gundersen, Karlee Lewis, Cydnee Miller, Carlie Rittel, Hattey Smith, and Katie Yorke.

Pierce closes out the 2019 regular season Wednesday night on the road at South Puget Sound. The Raiders will advance to the NWAC Championship Tournament, next week at the Tacoma Convention Center, and will face the Walla Walla Warriors (#4 from the East, 9-6, 19-15) in their opening round match on Thursday, 11/21, at 2:00 pm. Follow all of the championship action, and the Raiders march to an NWAC title at,https://nwacsports.com/volleyball_championship