The Juanita volleyball team won a hard-fought victory over Mercer Island on Wednesday, Oct. 6, while the Islanders moved into third place in KingCo with the 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 24-26, 25-19, 15-8) loss.

It was an exciting game for both teams, as the Rebels jumped out to take the first game in a comeback. The Islanders had led the way for most of the game until the Rebels challenged, digging their way back into it until the teams were tied at 22. The same situation began game two, but Mercer Island was able to hold on for the win. The Islanders did the same in game three, keeping Juanita from scoring a final vital point, for a 1-1 match tie overall. But Juanita found its stride in the fourth game, to force a fifth and final game of the match. The Rebels continued with the momentum for the fifth game to take the win.

Ariel Dewey had 36 assists that night, with four aces, while Kris Brackmann earned nine kills at the net and five aces from the serving line. Madelyn Bloom added 10 more kills for the Islanders, along with Sarah Lindquist’s five and Lorial Yeadon’s 11.

Last Monday, Oct. 4, the Islanders traveled to Lake Washington. Mercer Island won in three games (25-18, 25-21, 25-18).

The Islanders are currently 7-3 and 6-3 this season, tied with Interlake in third place. The team traveled to Interlake on Monday night, after Reporter deadline, and will be at Bellevue tonight in the final away game of the season. Next week begins the Islanders’ four-game home stretch before the end of the regular season.