Community sports roundup: EdCC volleyball 4th at NWAC tourney

It took 10 years, but the Edmonds Community College volleyball team finally has another trophy.

The Tritons earned their trophy by finishing fourth at the Northwest Athletic Conference Volleyball Championship Tournament held Thursday through Sunday at the Tacoma Convention Center. The trophy was Edmonds’ first since placing third at the 2008 tournament.

Edmonds, which was the No. 1 seed from the North Region, finished 3-2 at the tournament. The Tritons opened with a 25-16, 25-14, 27-25 victory over West No. 4 Tacoma, then pulled off a big victory over East No. 2 Walla Walla by winning 25-13, 25-17, 25-17.

The Tritons slipped into the losers bracket’ with a five-set 22-25, 25-17, 25-16, 20-25, 15-11 loss to West No. 1 Pierce, then defeated West. No. 3 Lower Columbia 25-20, 25-22 in an elimination game to assure themselves a trophy. Edmonds was eliminated by a 25-8, 25-21 loss to West No. 2 Highline to lock the Tritons into fourth.

Edmonds was led by sophomore outside hitter and Cascade High School graduate Michelle Dmitruk. Dmitruk, who was named the North Region Most Valuable Player earlier in the week, finished with 63 kills in the five matches.

Freshman middle blocker Sadie Gardner, who was named first-team All-North Region, added 49 kills, while freshman setter Hayley Hooper, also a first-team selection, dished out 148 assists.

Locals help EWU football claim Big Sky title

Lynnwood High School graduate Andrew Katzenberger and Kamiak High School graduate Henderson Belk played key roles in the Eastern Washington University football team defeating Portland State 74-23 Saturday in Portland, Oregon, to win the Big Sky Conference championship.

Katzenberger, a junior linebacker, finished second on the team in tackles with seven. Belk, a senior tight end, started the game.

Other locals who participated in Saturday’s game included Mariner High School graduate Anthany Smith, a freshman defensive back/punter, and fellow Marauders alum Curtis Billen, a senior long snapper.

The Eagles (9-2) earned the No. 3 seed to the FCS playoffs and will host the San Diego-Nicholls winner in the second round on Dec. 1.

Harper, Gunterman star for WWU volleyball

Oak Harbor High School graduate Kayleigh Harper and Lake Stevens High School gradaute Gabby Gunterman led the way as the Western Washington University volleyball team defeated the nation’s top-ranked squad, Cal State San Bernadino, 23-25, 25-22, 25-22, 21-25, 15-12 to win the NCAA Division II West Regional championship on Saturday in Bellingham.

Harper, a junior middle blocker, finished with a match-high 26 kills and added three blocks. Gunterman, a freshman pin hitter, came off the bench to record 15 kills.

Western, which is 28-3 and ranked No. 2 in the nation, advanced to the national quarterfinals, where it faces No. 13 Tarleton State on Nov. 29 in Pittsburgh.

Schultz helps UNC into national quarters

Edmonds Woodway High School graduate Madison Schultz, now a junior forward on the University of North Carolina women’s soccer team, had an assist as the Tar Heels defeated Virginia Tech 3-0 Sunday at home to advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I tournament.

Schultz was credited with the secondary assist on Dorian Bailey’s 56th-minute goal that made it 3-0.

Schultz and the Tar Heels, ranked No. 3 in the nation, host UCLA in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

If you have an item for the community sports roundup, email Nick Patterson at npatterson@heraldnet.com.