MARYSVILLE — One of the reasons why the Lake Stevens volleyball team has had such a great season is that it keeps things fresh in practice sessions.
The Vikings know they possess an abundance of physical talent, but they always want to improve their mental toughness. They know that’s how champions are made.
On Thursday, Lake Stevens became a champion, winning the 4A District 1 title match and clinching a berth to the state tournament with a 25-21, 23-25, 25-18, 25-16 win over Monroe at Marysville Pilchuck High School.
“In practice, we’re always working on something new,” said Vikings outside hitter Gabby Gunterman. “We work on the mental game because it’s so important. We want to shake off our mistakes, let them roll off our backs and pull each other up. Volleyball is a team sport, so that’s something you have to master well.”
Lake Stevens showed an ability to do just that Thursday against a good Bearcats team. After the Vikings won the first set, Monroe answered right back to take the second set.
But the Vikings looked like a different team in the third and fourth sets.
“We settled down,” said Lake Stevens coach Dawn Hanson. “We focused on playing our style of volleyball. We’ve played Monroe a lot and know they’re a great team. We adjusted our defense because they have great outside hitters, and changed our serve receive.”
“Honestly, we came in believing we could do this,” Gunterman said. “There was never any doubt that we would get it done. Our communication, energy and chemistry were strong. We deserved this win.”
Thursday’s match marked the fourth encounter between the two squads this season. Lake Stevens (16-0) defeated Monroe 3-0 Sept. 27 and 3-2 on Oct. 20.
However, Monroe (12-4) beat the Vikings in a three-set match at the Monroe Bearcat Invitational on Oct. 8, a match that didn’t count in the official standings, so the Bearcats entered Thursday’s match knowing they were capable of at least staying close to the Vikings. But after a strong second set, they weren’t able to match Lake Stevens’ intensity and precision.
“We have a bunch of compassionate kids, and sometimes they have a hard time stepping out of the zone of focusing on their errors and just relaxing and playing the game they know how to play,” said Monroe coach April Munoz. “We just made too many errors, and you can’t make errors against a team like that.”
The match featured a great matchup between two of the best outside hitters in the league — Gunterman, who is committed to continue her career at Western Washington University next season; and Monroe’s Meredith Teague.
Teague played well, racking up 16 kills. But Gunterman was the true star, tallying 31 kills, three aces and six digs. She took over during the middle of the critical third set, scoring six straight Vikings points to give her team a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
“She’s a great player and a great leader, somebody the other players (look up) to,” Hanson said. “She was just on fire tonight.”
Setter Lily Eason — a “phenomenal player,” according to Hanson — tallied 23 assists for the Vikings, and Hannah Aaenson added eight kills and 24 digs. Mina Duong had 20 kills for the Bearcats, and Tatum McGovern had 28 assists.
The Bearcats will take on Jackson on Saturday in Marysville for a state berth.
“We’re fortunate to have a group of talented kids who are strong leaders,” Munoz said. “They’re motivated to fight and work hard.”
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