Liberty VB tops Mesa Mountain View in four sets

September 6, 2022 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Liberty's Ellie Trimble (14) on the attack in the Lions' four-set victory over Mtn. View on Tuesday night. (Azpreps365 photo)

Liberty's girls volleyball team employed a trio of weapons on the attack who were too much for host Mountain View to upend as the teams met Tuesday night.

Ellie Trimble, Tristen Raymond and Makenna Kowren led the way for the Lions as they topped the Toros in four sets. Scores were 22-25, 25-14, 25-19 and 25-21.

Liberty improved to 3-1 in power-ranking matches in the young season. Mountain View, fresh off its first invitational appearance last weekend at Chandler High's House of Payne tourney, fell to 0-2 in power-ranking matches. Mountain View posted a 3-4 record at House of Payne.

Mountain View surged late in the opening set after trailing, 21-17. The Toros used an 8-1 run to claim the set. A trio of consecutive aces served up by Alyssa Austin keyed the burst.

Liberty got down to business after that. Lions middle hitter Trinity Williams play at the net in the second set put her team ahead to stay. Williams collected a pair of blocks and two kills that helped break a 9-9 tie. Trimble had four kills during the run effectively blitzing Mountain View in the match's most lopsided set.

Mountain View was more competitive in the third set. Liberty opened up a 16-12 advantage, but Mountain View pulled within 17-16 after a kill from Madison Green. The Lions 8-3 finishing run was paced by two Williams kills

Liberty opened up a 14-6 lead in the fourth set with Raymond contributing three kills and an ace that put the Toros on the defensive as they tried to extent the match to a fifth set. Unofficial kill totals for the Liberty trio were Trimble (17), Raymond (10) and Kowren (8). Unofficial attack leaders for Mountain View were Olivia Tukuafu (16) and Reese Fischbeck (11).

Mountain View plays its next power-ranking match Wednesday at Queen Creek. Liberty's next match is Thursday hosting Sunrise Mountain. Mountain View and Liberty finish off a busy week competing in Westwood's Tournament of Champions on Friday and Saturday.