For the third time this season the Mercer Island volleyball team beat Mount Si. On Saturday night it was on the team’s biggest stage so far, taking down the Wildcats to win the KingCo tournament and earn the No. 1 seed to the SeaKing District event next week. Mercer Island beat Mount Si 3-1.

In what has become typical of a meeting between the two teams, the first game was neck and neck the whole way. Mount Si almost forced Mercer Island to go for extra points, but the Islanders held on to win game one 25-23.

In the second game, the Islanders jumped to an early 10-5 lead over the Wildcats, but Mount Si climbed back into the game, within one point of the lead, but Mercer Island regained control and won it 25-22.

Mount Si pushed and dominated through the second half of game three after giving the Islanders early control. Mount Si was able to hang on for the 25-19 win to force a fourth game in the set.

Mercer Island quickly reestablished itself through several impressive rallies and grabbed the 7-3 start. While Mount Si did it’s best to take over later in the game, Mercer Island would hold on for the 25-21 win.

Mercer Island head coach Susan McKay said after the match that they had really talked as a team before the game to holding Mount Si to three games, but weren’t quite able to accomplish the goal. She said it was a team effort, across the boards.

Individually, Brooke Behrbaum had five kills and three blocks during the games, Kris Brackmann had nine kills, five blocks and four aces in the wins and Sara Lindquist posted 11 kills and two blocks. Lottie MacAulay had seven kills and five blocks while Jemma Yeadon added 14 kills and 16 digs. Lorial Yeadon had 13 digs against Mount Si and setter Carly Wilson had 34 assists and four aces.

The Islanders will begin play in the SeaKing district tournament on Thursday, Nov. 1 at Sammamish High School at 7:30 p.m.