MUKILTEO — Every time the Tomahawks needed something big, in stepped Kate Vavrousek.

In a 3-2 (25-22, 20-25, 21-25, 25-17, 15-12) non-conference win against Kamiak Sept. 23, Marysville-Pilchuck couldn’t get the ball rolling in the first three games, scoring no more than three consecutive points.

“That has been a problem for us so far this season,” said Marysville-Pilchuck coach Shelly Johnson. “It just took one of our seniors to step up and keep serving.”

Vavrousek did just that. With M-P trailing 2-1 in the fourth game she ran off 10 consecutive points, including two aces, to give the Tommies a 20-11 lead and the momentum.

“You just tell yourself to serve like you have been — to not change anything,” said Vavrousek, who finished the match with 15 kills, 10 digs, six aces and two blocks.

That rally got the ball moving for M-P, which ended up forcing a match-deciding Game 5. The Tommies then jumped out to an 8-1 lead behind Vavrousek’s serving five straight points to start off the game.

“When you have the ability to go that long, you can take the pressure of yourself,” said Johnson. “And Kate was great serving tonight, putting it everywhere we wanted, but she had a great offensive game as well.”

Kamiak, which is thought to be a potential state-bound team this season, tried to mount a comeback and came within one point, with the score 12-11, but Vavrousek scored two blocks and served up an ace as the game- and match-winner.

The Tommies improve to 3-0 this season, and Johnson said this kind of win happened at just the right time.

“It’s so good for them to do this because it shows they can make that kind of a comeback,” she said. “It’s one of those things you have to do before you know what it takes. We start conference play next and it’s just a great time for them to get this kind of experience.”

Also having standout games were Hannah Watson, who had 19 kills and four blocks, and Alexis Fitzmaurice, who had 41 assists, but the backline of Katie Peterson, Tiva Akau and Jessica Carey, who were charged with defending Kamiak hitter Bryce Larson.

“Katie is just our rock in the back and along with Tiva and Jess, they are the toughest team around,” Johnson said.