Mercer Island volleyball to forfeit six games

Published 11:45 am Monday, October 27, 2014

The use of an ineligible player through the first three weeks of its 2014 season will force Mercer Island volleyball to forfeit six early-season victories.

Mercer Island High School athletic director Mark Zmuda said the issue was a clerical error that was self-reported in mid-October. Beyond that, Zmuda said he was unable to comment further on the ineligibility.

The Islanders will forfeit wins over Eastside Catholic and Seattle Prep and KingCo wins over Interlake, Lake Washington, Liberty and Juanita. The player in question became eligible Sept. 29.

Previously undefeated in KingCo competition at 11-0, with the Islanders’ only loss of the season coming in a nonconference match against Holy Names Academy, the forfeits drop the Islanders to 7-4 in league competition and award KingCo’s regular season title to Bellevue. Facing the Wolverines Monday night, a win would earn Mercer Island second place, while a loss would tie the Islanders for second place with Liberty and potentially Lake Washington, which takes on Juanita Monday evening.