KENNEWICK — The Jackson Timberwolves are going to come home with a trophy.
Jackson lost its first-round match Thursday at the Class 4A state high school volleyball tournament, then rebounded with a pair of wins — including a victory over Wesco South rival Kamiak in a loser-out match — to clinch a spot in today’s contest to decide fifth and eighth places.
The Timberwolves (18-4) play Issaquah at 5 p.m.
“I like our chances against Issaquah,” Jackson coach Erik Champoux said. “They are kind of big, tall, and fast, but I think the way we have been playing, we will do fine and we are not afraid of anyone right now. We were pumped to play Kamiak before the game. They won (the district tournament), we wanted them.”
Jackson’s 25-13, 19-25, 25-19, 25-16 victory over Kamiak (16-4) eliminated the Knights from the tournament.
“There are only so many teams and you just start whittling them down, (so) we were bound to play someone like Kamiak,” Champoux said. “When you go 2-1 at state, that is not a bad day. We had a chance to beat (Olympia in the first round), but anytime you get in the top eight and place, (you) won the big games, the elimination games.”
Jackson, making its first state appearance in five years, fell to fourth-ranked Olympia 3-1 in the first round. Jackson’s lone victory came in the third game, a 25-20 decision. The Timberwolves then swept Tahoma in three games, 25-16, 25-10, 25-18, setting the stage for their third match of the season against Kamiak.
Kamiak lost its opener to third-ranked Graham-Kapowsin, 3-0, although the Knights put up quite a fight in the second game before losing 30-28. Kamiak then defeated Southridge 25-18, 25-21, 25-22.
“We just wanted to leave the tournament knowing that we gave it (our) all, and we did that,” Kamiak coach Natalie Bowie said. “It’s fun getting to state and the girls had a really good time. They were a joy to coach. None of the girls had ever made it to state, so that was great for them.”
The Wesco South’s third representative, Edmonds-Woodway, won its opening game, 28-26, but then lost three straight to fall to defending state champion Lewis &Clark.
In the consolation bracket, the Warriors built a 2-0 advantage over Woodinville with 25-20 and 25-17 wins, but the Warriors were unable to secure the crucial third victory as the Falcons won the next three games, 25-20, 25-17 and 15-12.
The loss eliminated Edmonds-Woodway (13-6).
Class 1A Tournament
YAKIMA — Defending state champion King’s swept its two opponents Thursday to move into this afternoon’s semifinals.
The Knights (18-3) face Cascade-Leavenworth at 3:30 today.
King’s opened the tournament with a 25-21, 25-16, 25-21 win over Lakeside. Anna Cesari’s collected 11 digs and 36 assists, and Dionna Kirton has 19 kills and 11 digs to lead King’s. Kaley Kenyon added nine kills and Mackenzie Daniels chipped in with 10 digs.
In the quarterfinals, King’s faced Lynden Christian, a team that beat King’s two weeks ago in the district tournament. This time it was all King’s as the Knights won 25-21, 25-22, 25-19, again behind the strong play of Cesari (37 assists, 10 digs, three service aces) and Dionna Kirton (21 kills and 15 digs). Joclyn Kirton added eight kills, and Daniels contributed 21 digs for the winners.
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