A 3-0 loss to Kentwood was probably not what defending South Puget Sound League North Division champion Tahoma had in mind for the volleyball league opener Wednesday night.

The Conquerors jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first set, though the Bears fought back closing it to 15-9 before the combination of errors on Tahoma’s side of the net and Kentwood’s hitters putting kills away led to a 25-12 first set win for the Conks.

Lauren Hackett led Kentwood with eight kills, five blocks and three aces, but setter Kacie Seims spread the ball around to the Conquerors offense as she put up 29 assists. Mikaela Ballou hammered out seven kills while Mele Halahuni racked up six and Sarah Toeaina added five kills along with three blocks.

The second set of the game was much closer as Kentwood and Tahoma traded kills. At the end of the frame, though, the Conks held off the Bears 25-12 in a gym packed with students from both schools which provided a playoff-like atmosphere in the stands and on the court.

Kentwood raced out to a 12-2 lead in the third set and it looked as though it would close the game out easily but Tahoma surged back twice in the match before losing the set 25-18.

Tahoma junior Rachelle Frets led the Bears with 11 kills while senior setter Miranda Grieser tallied 19 assists and three blocks and Amber Thompson collected 20 kills.

With the win, Kentwood moved to 6-0 overall and 1-0 in league play, while Tahoma dropped to 0-1 in league and 2-4 overall.

Kentwood travels to Thomas Jefferson on Tuesday while Tahoma plays at Kentlake the same night.

Kentlake, meanwhile, played its league opener Wednesday night at Mount Rainier winning 3-0.