By Michael Carman

Olympic Peninsla News Group

Forks fell at home against Raymond on Thursday in a full five-set contest in an early season showdown for the top spot in the Pacific League.

The Seagulls rallied to take the match 25-21, 24-26, 21-25, 26-24, 25-14

Kaidence Rigby led the way for Forks with nine kills, four blocks and four aces.

Kyra Neel totaled six kills, three blocks and an ace while senior teammate Kadie Wood added five kills and an ace.

Freshman Chloe Gaydeski-St. John posted four kills and two aces.

Sophomore setter Erika Williams dished out 19 assists, while adding a kill, a block and an ace.

Eladia Hernandez Stansbury served 100 percent for the match and tallied two kills.

“I am so proud of how hard the girls worked last night,” Forks coach Jenn LeDuke said. “Always hard to lose, but I was so happy with how well they played and worked together.”

LeDuke also had kind words for Spartan students.

“We have the best student section cheering the girls on every match,” LeDuke said. “It’s so awesome to see that school spirit coming back.”

Team captains Neel and Wood provided some perspective on the Spartans’ season to date (3-1, 4-2).

“Our first couple matches were rough, we were beating ourselves,” they said. “We took a great win over South Bend and from there we are finally playing to our full potential.

“The Raymond match was definitely one of the best matches we’ve played throughout our high school career, mentally and physically.”

And the pair said revenge is in the works next month.

“On Oct. 18 the volleyball team, along with a pep bus, will make their way to Raymond to claim our win,” they said.

Spartans Kaidence Rigby (13) and Kyra Neel (7) go for the block against Raymond’s Kassie Koski (8) in this contest with both teams fighting for first place in the Pacific 2B League. Raymond squeaked by Forks 16 to 14 in the final match taking three out of five for the win. This had to be one of the best-played contests in recent volleyball league challenges. Photo by Lonnie Archibald