MARYSVILLE – In the minutes before Thursday’s match, Everett volleyball coach Heather Burglund spoke of an edict in affect since the disappointing finish last year when the Seagulls barely missed out on a state tournament berth.
“Nobody’s saying the five-letter word (state),” Burglund said as Everett prepared to face Jackson in a 4A District 1 winner-to-state semifinal match at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.
Consider the edict lifted.
Led by devastating outside hitter Jennifer Luatua – and cheered on by a throng of painted-up fans – Everett swept past Jackson 25-14, 25-11, 25-13 to earn the Class 4A state tournament berth it has long savored.
Headed to state for the first time since the mid-1980s, unbeaten Everett (15-0) will meet Snohomish (15-1) Saturday at Marysville-Pilchuck for the district championship.
“It feels great to finally go to state,” Luatua said. “Determination got us to this game. Snohomish knocked us out last year. We’re gonna be ready.”
In preparation Luatua flattened Jackson with 19 high-flying kills and 23 digs.
“The girls look to her and respect her,” Burglund said. “She’s the hardest worker, the most composed. She’s just the complete package.”
Chanting “On to state,” the Everett fans swarmed the floor when the Seagulls clinched the match.
“We’ve had that support all season,” Luatua said with a smile as multi-colored and costumed fans carried on about her. “The paint…that is crazy.”
Everett’s Nicole Barhanovich and Kelsey Larsen were a combined 31-for-32 serving with three aces each. Dusty Bryson added 14 digs and outside hitter Katelyn Price bookended Luatua with 11 kills.
“She’s come on so strong,” Burglund said of Price. “She can jump so high and just put the ball down.”
After the lead went back and forth in the early minutes of the first game, Everett overcame a 6-5 Jackson lead with a 7-1 run. The Timberwolves eventually drew back to within 15-12 before being closed out by a 10-2 Everett run.
In the second game a Price kill sparked a 13-2 run that ended with Everett sporting a 22-9 lead. Game three was never in doubt as the serving of Barhanovich and Larsen spurred a 9-1 Seagull start.
“I played all 12 girls and it didn’t matter,” Burglund said. “That team chemistry made the difference.”
With the victory Everett drew the opponent it most wanted in the district final.
“It’s been a big goal to get a chance to go up against Snohomish,” Burglund said.
In a first round match Thursday, Everett dispatched Monroe 25-21, 25-18, 25-15. The Bearcats (8-7) were led by Whitney Mueller (seven kills, 10-for-10 serving), Sarah Mueller (11 assists) and Taylor Davis (four blocks).
“Give credit to Everett,” Monroe coach Dawn Hanson said. “They’re fired up.”
In its first-round contest, Jackson (9-7) upended Oak Harbor (13-3) 25-21, 25-17, 25-23.
King’s 3, Lakewood 0: At Lakewood, King’s, which defeated its Cascade Conference foe 25-5, 25-8, 25-7, won its 11th league match. Laurel Hansen had three kills for Lakewoood (2-10 league, 2-13 overall). For King’s (11-1, 12-2), Sara Mosiman had seven kills and an ace, Carissa Clark had seven kills and six aces, Ashley Strecker had 17 assists and two aces and Jamie Hartman had six digs and five aces.
Granite Falls 3, Sultan 1: At, Sultan, Julie Alexander had nine of Granite Falls’ 30 aces and Emily Hanby had seven kills for the Tigers (4-8 league, 4-11 overall) in their 18-25, 25-9, 25-15, 25-3 Cascade Conference victory.
Coupeville 3, Concrete 0: At Coupeville, Mindy Horr served up 13 aces and added 14 assists to lead Coupeville to its ninth consecutive Northwest 1A/B victory. Kirsty Croghan had seven kills for the Wolves, who won 25-9, 25-4, 25-7.
Class B District 1 playoffs: Orcas Island and Darrington earned tri-district berths with semifinal wins. Orcas Island beat Mount Vernon Christian 3-2 at Eastsound. Darrington defeated Lopez 3-0 at Lopez Island. Mount Vernon Christian got to the semis with a 3-1 win over Skykomish. Lopez beat Snohomish County Christian 3-0. The tournament concludes Saturday at Coupeville H.S.
Saori Yoshida served 46-for-47 with eight aces for Darrington. Teammate Liza Schillhammer had 13 kills. Emily Oakland had four kills and Meagan Crosby had four assists for Snohomish County Christian.
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