Stanwood Rallies in Five-Set Thriller to Edge Everett

In a clash between two of the top teams in the Wesco North, the Stanwood Spartans (6-1 overall, 4-0 league) staged a thrilling comeback to defeat the Everett Seagulls (6-2, 2-2) in five sets, 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-20, 15-11.

After dropping the first and third sets, Stanwood refused to back down. The fourth set became a tense back-and-forth battle. Harper Neyens’ kill off an Addison Bowie set cut Everett’s lead to 7-5, sparking the Spartans’ rally. Lyla Henken added an ace, and Whitney Longspaugh delivered a jaw-dropping winner after a long volley to give Stanwood the go-ahead point at 18-17. Stanwood eventually took the set 25-20, forcing a decisive fifth.

Longspaugh finished with 24 kills and 10 digs, while Bowie racked up 38 assists, orchestrating the Spartan offense with precision. Cambrielle Brown led the defense with 13 digs, and Neyens contributed 12 kills in the comeback.

Everett’s stars shone bright in the narrow loss. Ava Gonzalez led the way with a game-high 34 kills and 26 digs, and Ava Urbanozo kept the Seagulls’ attack humming with 43 assists and 16 digs.

In the end, Stanwood’s resilience and clutch plays propelled them past a fierce Everett squad, keeping the Spartans unbeaten in league play.