Revenge denied: Curtis volleyball sweeps Kennedy Catholic in 4A title rematch
Kathryn Harris was everywhere Thursday night. Setting, spiking, digging, you name it — there wasn’t a play the ascending junior couldn’t make.
Curtis’ setter knew this was more than your standard, non-league September match with visiting Kennedy Catholic. It was a rematch of last year’s 4A state championship, when the Vikings rolled through straight sets and completed an undefeated 27-0 season, first-place trophy in hand.
“We expected them to come in hot,” Harris told The News Tribune, “so we were ready to come in hot.”
New year, same story: Curtis ran away late in each set, denying Kennedy Catholic’s bid for revenge. The Vikings controlled the net in another emphatic sweep, 3-0, for their fourth-straight win this fall as Curtis vies for a 4A title repeat.
And if Thursday night was any indication, University Place has itself a contender once again.
The Vikings have won 31 straight matches, a streak that dates back to Nov. 18, 2023.
“I don’t want them to put too much pressure on themselves,” Curtis head coach Camryn Buell said. “This is a new team. This isn’t the same undefeated team that it was last year, so as long as they retain their confidence on the court and work hard at practice, I think we’ll take it game by game instead of thinking about the undefeated season.”
No pressure detected for the Vikings on Thursday night despite the recent history with Kennedy Catholic — only spikes and smiles.
Towering right-side hitter Selana Morales proved too powerful for the Lancers, sparking an early 10-1 run as Curtis stormed through the opening set, 25-16.
A sensational Curtis defense told the story of Set 2, a brick wall at the net rejecting what should’ve been multiple Lancers kills. Kennedy Catholic led, 12-10, before another Vikings rally prevented the equalizer, 25-16.
Set three? Cruise control. Curtis saved their best rally for last, sealing the program’s 31st-straight victory when Mia Nelson blocked a Lancers spike. Harris shined from start to finish.
“Kate’s a stud,” Buell said. “She just loves volleyball, and she wants to get the ball up no matter what. She’ll throw her body anywhere just to make that play. She has a strong volleyball IQ, she always seems to be in the right spot at the right time, and knows where to set the ball to get those big plays.”
There’s still plenty of star power left from that 2024 squad. Despite graduating TNT All-Area volleyball player of the year Avery Cukjati, the Vikings returned Morales, Harris, and all-state libero Elaina Duong, who impressed Buell with savvy plays from the back line Thursday night.
Harris could play anywhere and excel, Buell said. It’s what made her the best player on the court Thursday night.
“When I was younger, I always wanted to play every position. I wanted to do everything. I feel like (it’s) helped me a lot,” Harris said. “I try to be quick out there, and I just want to play whatever works for the team. If that means I’m hitting, if that means I’m playing middle-back, I’m all for it.”
Buell took the reins of the Curtis program this year, taking over for older sister and former Vikings head coach Taylor Bautista. She’s filling the big shoes left behind four matches in.
Morales paced Curtis with 12 kills. Kayla Baker tallied eight kills, Nelson had seven, and Harris added six.
Curtis improves to 4-0 and can extend its win streak to 32 when Puyallup High School visits University Place for a 4A SPSL opener on Sept. 22.
This story was originally published September 19, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
