Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The Eureka players react during Wednesday night’s game.

By Ray Hamill — The Eureka Loggers enjoyed a successful debut at the new Jay Willard Gymnasium on Wednesday night.

Hosting crosstown rivals St. Bernard’s in volleyball, the Eureka girls won an entertaining match in five sets, with little to separate the two teams for much of the night.

The Loggers won 25-12, 26-24, 25-27, 23-25, 15-12, as a loud and enthusiastic student section made its presence felt.

“It was a battle,” Eureka head coach Stephanie Napoleon said.

A pair of freshman continued to impress for the home team, as Tiarah Maualuga finished with 15 kills and six aces and Alena Battle added seven kills and three blocks.

Senior leaders and team captains Isis Poteet and Anisha Mae Rechelluull each also had a good night in the victory.

Poteet finished with seven kills and six blocks, while Rechellull dished out 24 assists and had three aces.

The Loggers comfortably took the opening set but had to rally late in the second set, which they won by just two points, as the home fans began to get behind their team.

Undeterred, the Crusaders rallied themselves to take the next two sets — each also by just two points — to force a fifth and decisive set.

Madelyn Shanahan led the way for the visitors and had 21 kills and five blocks, while teammate Rihanna Fontenot also had a good night and finished with six kills and three blocks.

Jocelyn Sundberg added five kills and four blocks for the Little 4 school, while the industrious Sahara Tupua had a team-high 32 assists and five aces.

For Eureka, which improved to 6-6, Samara Gaither also had seven aces and 10 digs, Aimee Rogers had 12 digs and two aces, and Baylie Battle finished with three aces.

Napoleon also praised the home fans for “bringing their energy,” especially the members of the Eureka Boys Volleyball Club team.