EVERETT – The Mead Panthers just make it look so easy.
After marching through last year’s Class 4A tournament en route to a state title, Mead did more of the same Saturday, beating the Eisenhower Cadets 3-0 in the Class 4A final at the Everett Events Center for its second championship in a row.
“I am amazed,” said Mead coach Judy Kight, whose team finished the season 30-2. “We came out positive, we blocked and passed well and the girls were mentally prepared to win.”
As with many of the recent state volleyball tournaments, this one was dominated by schools east of the Cascades. All four teams in the tournament semifinals were from the eastern side of the state: University (Spokane), Mead (Spokane), Gonzaga Prep (Spokane), and Eisenhower (Yakima).
Despite losing four starters from the team that defeated Marysville-Pilchuck in last year’s title match, Mead looked just as good in its 25-15, 25-23, 25-23 win over Eisenhower.
“We played with a lot of heart,” said Mead setter Lacey Anderson. “We played as though everything was for the team. No one was after individual goals or stats, we were just there for each other.”
While it wasn’t a runaway victory, the Panthers seemed in control throughout the victory.
“It definitely helps to have been in this situation before,” said Kight, who loses three more seniors from this squad. “They know what it takes to get this far and they know how to win.”
One of those seniors, Rachael Schurman, led the Panthers with 15 kills and four blocks against Eisenhower. Senior setter Anderson made 31 assists, 11 digs and four blocks for Mead.
“Being a senior makes this title more meaningful,” senior co-captain Debra DeFelice said. “Winning as a junior was great, but it’s every senior’s dream to go out on top.”
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