Ridgefield celebrates their win against Woodland during the game in Woodland on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. Ridgefield won in three sets, 25-16, 25-22, 25-17.
(Alisha Jucevic/The Columbian)Photo Gallery
WOODLAND — Each time she puts on a Ridgefield uniform, Delaney Nicoll can expect to see her mom, Adrienne Nicoll, up in the stands cheering her on.
As a second generation Ridgefield volleyball standout — and a third generation Spudder — the family shares the highs and lows that come with competitive sports.
The bond through volleyball and Spudders orange and blue is what makes the victories that much sweeter.
“It means a lot,” Adrienne Nicoll said. “Tradition is important. My girls are third generation Spudders and for them to come out here and play really well it makes me really proud as a mother and parent.”
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Ridgefield vs. Woodland
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Against Woodland, that’s amplified.
Ridgefield took down perennial 2A Greater St. Helens League foe Woodland on Tuesday night in three sets, setting the tone for a league slate that has been dominated by the two teams in recent years.
“It was a rivalry back then and it’s a rivalry now,” Ridgefield coach Sabrina Dobbs said. “Coming into this season we wanted to make sure and show them our talent and hard work.”
Added Woodland coach Danielle Hutton: “It does (push us more). We play better when we play better teams. It elevates you. Obviously it didn’t show tonight.”
The two losses to the Beavers last season were still fresh in their minds as they defeated a team with five returning all-leaguers (two first-team and the league player of the year) 25-17, 25-23 and 25-16.
With such a deep roster, including reigning league player of the year Elyse Booker and first team selection Taylor Foster, the Beavers never feel like they are out of any contest. That certainly was the case in the second set.
After losing the first 25-17, Ridgefield created a three-point cushion at 16-13. The Spudders held onto by three at 23-20, but Woodland (2-1) came back thanks to a rally fueled by Emma Swett, whose a momentous block, paired with Taylor Foster’s back-to-back kills, evened the score at 23 apiece.
The Spudders regrouped and secured the last two points to hold on, deflating Woodland’s furious late comeback effort, the visiting crowd’s cheers nearly drowning out the announcer’s Mortal Kombat-style narration.
“One thing we talked about a lot is trusting each other,” senior Kameryn Reynolds said. “Just knowing that even in times of pressure that we have talent and push through because we’ve been in situations like that before.”
Ridgefield scored six of the first seven points of the third game. Just like games on and two, the Beavers closed in. Serves from sophomore Emma Swett helped Woodland pull within two.
But Ridgefield grew its lead and coasted to a shutout win and, in the players’ minds, positioned themselves well going forward.
“It puts us at a good shot to win league,” Delaney Nicoll said, “but we still have to play them again so we’ll see. We’re definitely improving every game.”
Woodland’s sweep of the series last season garnered it the league title, but Ridgefield won districts and went on to place third at state.
Now, a season later, the Spudders are off to a strong start (3-0) with a young squad full of talent — and height.
Delaney Nicoll recalls two years ago attending the Ridgefield-Woodland rivalry games as a freshman. That excitement always permeated throughout her household growing up.
It all started with Spudder pride.
“It’s a love-hate relationship and we always push each other to be better,” her mother, Adrienne Nicoll said. “You need an opponent like Woodland.”
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