First Lauren Sanders was named all-Pac-12. Then she helped fire the University of Washington volleyball team into the sweet 16.
The Glacier Peak High School graduate, now a sophomore middle blocker on the Huskies’ volleyball team, had a big week. First, she was received honorable mention from the Pac-12 for a season in which she ranks third on the team in kills and second in blocks. Then she played a key role in Washington winning its first two games in the NCAA tournament in Omaha, Nebraska, to advance to the round of 16. Sanders had four kills and five blocks in a 25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 25-22 first-round victory over Saint Mary’s on Friday, then notched seven kills and eight blocks in the Huskies’ 25-19, 25-21, 25-23 upset victory over ninth-seeded Creighton on Saturday.
Cedar Park Christian High School graduate Samantha Drechsel, a sophomore outside hitter for the Huskies, added 25 kills and eight blocks between the two matches.
Washington advanced to face Penn State on Friday in Stanford, California.
Gunterman, Harper help WWU volleyball place 2nd
Lake Stevens High School graduate Gabby Gunterman and Oak Harbor High School graduate Kayleigh Harper were central players as the Western Washington University volleyball team finished as NCAA Division II national runners-up last weekend in Pittsburgh. The Vikings won a three-set match over Tarleton State in the quarterfinals and a four-set match over Lewis University in the semifinals. However, Western dropped a 21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-23, 15-11 decision to Tampa in the championship match.
Gunterman, a freshman pin hitter, and Harper, a junior middle blocker, each had 16 kills in the championship match.
Siblings win sectional skating championship
Snohomish siblings Kayla and Kamden Black won the Intermediate Pairs competition at the Pacific Coast Sectional Figure Skating Championships held Nov. 14-16 in Salt Lake City. Competing in the 18-and-under division, the Blacks scored 58.81 in their free skate, finishing more than 13 points ahead of the rest of the competitors. Kayla, a sixth grader at Snohomish Parent Partnership, and Kamden, a sophomore at Glacier Peak High School, qualified for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which take place Jan. 19 in Detroit.
Earl signs with West Virginia baseball
Archbishop Murphy High School graduate Austin Earl, now a sophomore outfielder on the Wenatchee Valley College baseball team, has signed to play at West Virginia University next season. Last season Earl batted .325 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI in 46 games for the Knights.
Stanwood alumna part of title-winning soccer team
Stanwood High School graduate Baylee Houston, now a senior at the University of Bridgeport, won a national championship as a member of the Knights’ women’s soccer team. The Knights claimed the NCAA Division II national title by beating Grand Valley State 1-0 on Saturday in Pittsburgh. Houston, who’s been nursing a knee injury, didn’t play in the championship game, though she appeared in seven games this season.
Marysville youth football team seeking funds
The Marysville Youth Football Junior (under-11) Tomahawk White football team, which won the Pro Football Hall of Fame World Youth Championship’s Northwest Regional, is seeking funds to travel to the national championships, which take place Dec. 7-16 in Canton, Ohio. Donations can be made on the team’s GoFundMe page titled “Marysville Youth Football Championship.”
If you have an item for the community sports roundup, email Nick Patterson at npatterson@heraldnet.com.
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