RICHLAND -- The Richland Bombers needed a spark from someone Thursday.
With the CBBN 4A regular season title hanging in the balance, junior Kelly Breard provided just that.
The serving specialist rung up four kills in the fifth set to lead the Bombers to a 25-15, 22-25, 18-25, 27-25, 15-7 victory over visiting Chiawana to win a second consecutive regular season crown.
"The whole game I wanted to play," Breard said. "I had a fire in me and just really wanted to win. I was just focused on getting to the right spot and knew I could get it in and kill it."
Breard added a key kill in the fourth set to help the Bombers take a 25-24 lead as Richland rallied from a 2-1 deficit for the second time in a week. Richland also trailed Wenatchee 2-1 on Tuesday, before winning in five sets to set up the showdown for the regular-season title with Chiawana.
"We just needed another spark," Richland coach Bob Raidl said. "We've been trying some other players out there and (Breard) just stepped up and went out there with no fear and made some huge swings for us and had a huge impact on the match.
"You get in a funk as a team and someone steps up and says give me the ball. She was that one tonight."
The victory was especially sweet for Richland, because Chiawana swept the Bombers in a matchup earlier this season.
The league title means Richland hosts the final two rounds of the CBBN 4A district tournament Oct. 29. Richland and Chiawana get byes past the first round.
"It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride this year," Raidl said, "but it's made us stronger. It's a new season now. You have to be consistent, but finishing first helps us because we get to host."
Richland came out strong winning the first set and led 16-10 in the second set before Chiawana finally came to life behind the serving of Sadie Sparks and the hitting of Shanita Hill. Sparks had two aces, and Hill had three kills and served the final five points of the set to seal it for the Riverhawks.
Chiawana then rolled in the third set behind the serving of Shantelle Hill, but after having a few chances to put away the match in the fourth set the Riverhawks faltered.
"When we had some opportunities to win the match, we played it safe and didn't try to aggressively win points," Chiawana coach Jim Steach said. "That's a lesson you take away. When you have a chance to win a match you go put a swing on it, even if you make a hitting error at least you went for it."
Alisha Bettinson led the Bombers with 19 kills and 24 digs, while Charlene Manning added 11 kills and 19 digs and Lauren Joseph dished out 50 assists.
Shanita Hill had 15 kills, nine digs and two aces to lead the Riverhawks, while Sparks finished with 15 kills, 24 digs and three aces.
Set scores--25-15, 22-25, 18-25, 27-25, 15-7.
Chiawana--Sadie Sparks 15 kills, 24 digs, 3 aces; Shanita Hill 15 kills, 9 digs, 2 aces; Shantelle Hill 6 kills, 22 digs, 1 ace; Jaymee Steach 34 assists, 13 digs, 2 aces.
Richland--Lauren Joseph 50 assists, 2 aces, 18 digs; Charlene Manning 11 kills, 19 digs, 1 ace; Alisha Bettinson 19 kills, 24 digs; Tori Long 6 kills, 2 aces; Kelly Breard 7 kills, 4 digs.
