Early-season growing pains continue to impact the Juanita High volleyball team, which dropped a conference loss in straight sets to Interlake on Monday, Sept. 12 at the Juanita Fieldhouse.

Interlake defeated Juanita 25-17, 25-12, 25-20, dropping the Rebels to 0-2 on the season.

The match served as a litmus test after what coach Rob Jammerman said was a good experience on Saturday at the Cascade tournament in Everett.

The Rebels went 4-2 in pool play, thanks to a big day from senior Makaela White. The returning first-team hitter finished the tournament with 33 kills and only eight errors, but it wasn’t enough to get Juanita past the first round of bracket play.

A pair of new faces stood out at the tournament, and should figure into the Rebels’ rotation throughout the season. Freshmen middleblocker Victoria Anderer filled in for injured senior Mackenzie Boyce, playing in her first-ever varsity match.

The Rebels also saw the varsity debut of libero Claire Benson, another freshmen. Benson saw extensive time against Interlake on Monday after “putting on a defensive show” at the tournament, Jammerman said.

Next, the Rebels continue KingCo play with a road match against Mercer Island at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14.