Last week was a tough one for Borderites sports overall, with all of football, girls soccer and volleyball being shut out prior to returning to school on Monday morning. But momentum seems to be shifting back in Blaine’s favor, with both volleyball and girls soccer defeating Mt. Baker on Tuesday night.
The Blaine volleyball team didn’t start October the way it wanted, losing in straight sets on the road against Lynden on October 1.
The first place Lions (9-0, 8-0 NWC) didn’t allow the Borderites to score more than 10 points in a single set, winning in dominating fashion: 25-9, 25-10, 25-7.
Despite the lopsided score, Blaine still saw great performances from its veteran players, with junior Teia Dube finishing with three kills and 10 digs, and senior Paige Dominick leading the team with 11 digs.
After the weekend, the Borderites returned home to host last place Mt. Baker (0-7) in what was a great opportunity for a bounce-back win after two straight losses on the road in the previous week.
The Borderites seized the opportunity and won the first set without looking back, eventually winning 3-1.
The win brought the Borderites to a respectable 4-6 regular season record, with a 3-5 record against conference opponents. Blaine is defeating the teams it should be on paper, beating last-place Mt. Baker once, and the lowest-ranked 3A team Sedro-Woolley twice, along with a win over lowest-ranked 2A team Lakewood.
With a day off in between Northwest Conference battles, the Borderites were scheduled to face Burlington-Edison on the road on at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 9. The Borderites then continue their road trip on Tuesday, October 14 to play Anacortes at 7 p.m.
The next Blaine home volleyball game won’t be until Thursday, October 16, when the Borderites host undefeated Sehome (8-0) at 7 p.m.
Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com
Blaine girls soccer celebrated Senior Night before its October 7 game against Mt. Baker at Borderite Stadium, honoring a group of seniors that have dedicated countless hours to their team.
Seniors Merissa Delgado, Brietta Sandell, Beatrice Dickson, Avery Larsen, Sorjan Leischner, Madilyn Musto, Jade-Lana Butler-Barros, Abigail Gonzalez and Taryn Zaccheo were all honored on the public address just before kickoff.
The celebration continued on the pitch, with the Borderites defeating 1A Northwest Conference rivals Mt. Baker, 3-0.
Just minutes into the game, Blaine’s defense committed a foul that awarded a penalty kick to the Mountaineers. But the gift to Mt. Baker was squandered, with the kick sailing over the crossbar.
Blaine responded with a constant attack in the midfield that pressured Mt. Baker’s midfielders and defenders to make a mistake.
That moment finally came late in the first half, when a ball popped out of a scrum in the penalty box, falling to junior forward Nevaeh Zaddack. Zaddack knew exactly what to do, dropping an excellent shot over the defense and past the outstretched hand of Mt. Baker’s goalkeeper, giving Blaine a 1-0 lead before halftime.
The Borderites continued to pour on the offense in the second half, with a pair of goals from junior midfielder/defender Kate Koreski.
The win put the Borderites at 5-6 with a 3-6 conference record. Blaine is currently the second-highest ranked 1A team in the conference, which will come into play for postseason tournament seeding.
Blaine’s next game was scheduled on the road against Burlington-Edison at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 9 (after press time). Blaine’s next home game will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 11 against Sehome.
Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com
The Borderites couldn’t get on the scoreboard against a tough Lynden Christian team, and Blaine ended up losing its first Northwest Conference matchup of the season, 41-0, on October 3.
Lynden Christian (5-0, 1-0 NWC) showed why it’s the top dog in the 1A Northwest Conference, with multiple upperclassmen giving great statistical performances and a suffocating defense.
The Borderites started aggressive, trying to kickstart a potential upset with a long drive on offense, but the drive stalled when Blaine wasn’t able to convert a fourth down.
After the opening drive chewed up the majority of the first quarter clock, the Lyncs responded with four touchdowns in the second quarter. Entering halftime, the Borderites were faced with a tough, 28-0 deficit.
The Lyncs were able to score another two touchdowns in the third quarter before letting off the gas in the fourth quarter.
It will take at least another week for the Borderites to earn their first conference win of the season and turn around a two-game losing streak.
After defeating Chelan at home on September 19, the Blaine offense has been shut down by Granite Falls and Lynden Christian the past two weeks, scoring just one touchdown in two games.
The Borderites defense played a ton of snaps against Lynden Christian, and junior linebacker Peyton Bouma led the team with seven tackles and a pass defended.
Blaine, now at 1-4 with a 0-1 NWC record, must begin the task of turning its season around against a procession of tough conference opponents. The Borderites will face Nooksack Valley (2-3, 0-1 NWC) at home 7 p.m. Friday, October 10, which may give them a chance to get back in the win column.
Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com
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