MARYSVILLE – The Marysville-Pilchuck volleyball team rolled through the 4A Northwest District tournament on its home court Saturday to capture its second-consecutive district title.
The Tomahawks, the Western Conference North’s No. 2 seed, swept Everett 3-0 in a second-round game and then defeated Snohomish in straight sets to claim the title.
“This is the most amazing feeling we could have,” said M-P’s standout middle blocker Morgan Zamora, who recorded 10 kills in the team’s 25-17, 25-18, 25-16 victory over Snohomish.
“These girls are amazing. It is all about the team. There’s not one player here playing from themselves. That’s why we’ve been so successful.”
Micaela Parker added 10 kills and Korissa Clevish pitched in 32 assists as M-P avenged a regular season loss to Snohomish in which it led 2-0 before losing three straight.
“We had this same situation earlier in the season,” M-P coach Shelly Johnson said. “We were up two games and then lost the next three. We talked about that before the third game today. We are very glad the same thing didn’t happen.”
In the semifinals, the Tomahawks defeated Wesco South champion Everett 25-13, 25-17, 25-20.
“I think our struggles earlier in the season has made us a better team. It really prepares you,” Johnson said.
The Panthers, the Wesco North’s No. 1 seed, came back to beat Everett 3-0 in a loser-out, winner-to-state game to earn the second and final berth to next weekend’s state tournament at the Everett Events Center.
“We have total chemistry,” Snohomish coach Shirley Siegel said. “And that’s what it takes to make it this far. They really stepped it up.”
M-P and Snohomish are becoming regulars at the season-ending finale. The Tomahawks, who finished seventh last year at state, and the Panthers are making their third trip in as many years.
“We know what it’s like to play at the state tournament,” Siegal said. “We are ready. The first time we didn’t win a game and last year we won one game. So this year we want the winning to continue.”
If Snohomish senior Courtney Schneider has anything to say about it, Siegal can rest assured that the winning will continue.
Schneider dominated the court in the first two games with Everett, recording 12 of her 15 total kills to lead the Panthers to a 25-15, 25-19, 25-20 victory.
“Front court or back court, that No. 5 (Schneider) makes that team what they are,” Everett coach Heather Burglund said. “Snohomish is a great team, but it is a very hard loss.”
Sophomore Whitney Nichols helped Snohomish with 23 assists and Lindsay Cheeke finished with five of her nine kills in the decisive third game.
“We had an awesome season,” Schneider said. “We came in with a lot of energy and it never got away from us. We can’t wait to get to Everett for state.”
For the Seagulls, the South’s No. 1 seed, they were led by the solid play of Jennifer Luatua. The 5-foot-8 outside hitter had eight kills and 12 digs in the loss to Snohomish. Kelsey Larsen and Becca Crossen combined for 12 kills for Everett, which defeated Mount Vernon 27-25, 25-14, 25-19 and Kamiak 25-18, 25-19, 25-14 en route to its meeting with Snohomish.
“Experience played a big part in the loss to Snohomish,” Burglund said. “But we’ll be back next year. Especially because we are only losing two starters.”
Kamiak defeated Edmonds-Woodway, 25-21, 16-25, 25-23, 20-25, 15-12 before falling to Everett and Mount Vernon needed four matches to defeat Jackson to set up the game against Everett.
3A Northwest District playoffs: At Lynden, Shorecrest climbed through the losers bracket to advance to the state tournament by beating Sehome 25-15, 25-8, 25-17. Earlier in the day the Scots swept Ferndale and Bellingham to play into the consolation final. Becky Scherer compiled 30 kills and 13 stuff blocks in the three games, while Lauren Herold provided 102 assists and 43 digs.
Class 2A Northwest District playoffs: At Langley, South Whidbey advanced to the state playoffs for the first time in seven years by sweeping Mount Baker 25-21, 28-26, 25-14 in the consolation final. Brianna Hussey distributed 31 assists, Katie McGillen supplied 10 kills and Liz Norris added eight to lead the Falcons’ charge. South Whidbey fell behind twice in a loser-out match earlier in the day against Nooksack Valley, but prevailed 21-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-20, 15-7.
Class 1A Tri-district playoffs: At Edmonds, La Conner (14-1) won the Class 1A tri-district championship 22-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-16 over King’s (12-5 overall). Ashley Strecker had 22 assists, Sara Mosiman contributed 10 kills, two blocks, and two aces, and Alex Keeney added eight kills, two blocks to lead King’s.
Class B Tri-district playoffs: At Seattle, Darrington (14-1 overall) won its third-straight Class B tri-district championship, 25-19, 25-14, 25-14 over Shoreline Christian (13-4 overall). Amy Jones had 12 kills and Liza Schillhammer added seven kills in the championship match. The Loggers beat Christian Faith 25-18, 25-15, 25-11 in their semifinal match.
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