Solidifying its hold on fourth place in the North Sound Conference, the South Whidbey High School volleyball team tripped visiting Granite Falls 3-1 Wednesday, Oct. 9.

If the Falcons finish in the top four in the final league standings, they will avoid a loser-out, play-in game to reach the district tournament.

With the win over fifth-place Granite Falls (0-4, 3-5), South Whidbey upped its NSC record to 2-3 (3-5 overall) and is only one game behind third-place Cedar Park Christian (3-2, 8-3) halfway through the league schedule.

The Falcons cruised by Granite Falls 25-13 in the first game, but the Tigers responded by taking the second 25-21.

South Whidbey regained control by edging Granite Falls 25-22 in the third and wrapped up the win 25-17 in the fourth.

Emma Hodson powered the offense with 20 kills.

South Whidbey was also tough at the service line. Kayla Knauer and Kamryn Wilson each fired five aces and Maya Tschetter had two.

Knauer also had 16 digs, Wilson six kills and Tschetter 33 assists.