SNOHOMISH — Shorewood’s volleyball team started Thursday’s district championship on a roll and never really slowed down.
The Thunderbirds jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the first set at Glacier Peak High School and fought off a scrappy Stanwood team to win in straight sets — 25-20, 25-19, 25-11 — to clinch the 3A District 1 title and the district’s No. 1 berth in next weekend’s state tournament in Lacey.
“We really wanted the No. 1 seed,” Shorewood head coach Jennifer Chartrand said. “We’re hoping that’ll help us with who we face (in the state tournament). The girls are just so excited to go.”
It will be Shorewood’s first trip to the state volleyball tournament since 1998. Both of the teams in the district championship, along with Glacier Peak which defeated Everett 3-2 in an exciting third-place game, have earned state berths.
After Shorewood jumped out to an early lead in the first set of Thursday night’s match, Stanwood caught up midway through, tying the score at 11. The two teams went back and forth until Shorewood took control late, with sophomore Ellie Rettenmier notching one of her 10 kills to close out the set 25-20.
The Spartans battled in the second set before falling to Shorewood 25-19. The Thunderbirds dominated the final set, getting the first four points and leading by at least 10 points almost the whole way.
“I’m just really proud of my girls,” Chartrand said. “They set their minds to it and they did it.”
Shorewood reversed the outcome of the two teams’ previous meeting. On Sep. 6, Stanwood swept Shorewood 3-0. This time, led by two starting freshman, the Thunderbirds did the sweeping.
“We lost to Stanwood early in the season and it was a rough match for us,” Chartrand said. “But I don’t think they were intimidated tonight.”
Freshmen Delaney Hopen (13 digs, eight kills) and libero Joely Shepard (19 digs) had big games for Shorewood. A couple of seniors also helped the Thunderbirds, with Monica Postor getting 23 digs and 10 kills and Marianne Kellogg getting 33 assists. Rettenmier added 10 kills and 12 digs.
“I feel like the girls came in pretty confident and relaxed,” Chartrand said. “They’re playing pretty well as a team. They’re still improving every time we hit the court.”
Katilyn Noonchester had 12 assists and Rebecca Hardenbrook added 17 digs for the Spartans, who will be the District’s No. 2 seed at the state tournament.
The No. 3 seed went to host Glacier Peak which won a back-and-forth battle with Everett 3-2. The teams exchanged sets all the way until the end, when the Grizzlies finished off Everett, capping an epic 25-12, 24-26, 25-16, 19-25, 16-14 match in front of a thrilled home crowd.
“It was win one, lose one, win one, lose one,” Glacier Peak head coach Christopher Pratt said. “What a phenomenal game.”
Maddi Ober led Glacier Peak with 20 kills and three blocks. Ruby Mensing had 17 kills and 33 digs, McKenzie Wilkinson had 50 assists and 24 digs and Caitalyn Johnson added 15 kills and four blocks for the Grizzlies.
It was the second time this week that the Grizzlies defeated Everett 3-2. The teams finished with the same score in their first-round games on Tuesday. The Seagulls and Glacier Peak — which lost to eventual district champion Shorewood in its semi-final game — worked their way through the consolation bracket to force the rematch.
“That’s the way you want it because it makes it exciting,” said Everett head coach Kris Jones. “But it’s also nerve-wracking. That’s good volleyball. It can roll either way. That’s how you want to go down: fighting. I’d much rather see a battle.”
Championship match
Shorewood 3, Stanwood 0
At Glacier Peak High School
Shorewood252525–3
Stanwood201911–0
Shorewood highlights: Monica Postor 23 digs, 10 kills; Ellie Rettenmier 10 kills, 12 digs; Marianne Kellogg 33 assists; Delaney Hopen 13 digs, eight kills; Joely Shepard 19 digs. Stanwood highlights: Kaitlyn Noonchester 12 assists; Rebecca Hardenbrook 17 digs.
Third-place match
Glacier Peak 3, Everett 2
Glacier Peak2524251916–3
Everett1226162514–2
Glacier Peak highlights: Maria Darling 34 digs; Ruby Mensing 17 kills, 33 digs; Maddi Ober 20 kills, 3 blocks; Caitlyn Johnson 15 kills, 4 blocks; McKenzie Wilkinson 50 assists, 24 digs . Everett highlights: Loretta Forrest 17 kills; Marsha Poischbeg nine kills.
Consolation match
Everett 3, Oak Harbor 1
Everett25102525–3
Oak Harbor16252223–1
Everett highlights: Loretta Forrest 11 kills; Megan Canonica nine kills. Oak Harbor highlights: not reported.
Consolation match
Glacier Peak 3, Meadowdale 0
Glacier Peak252525–3
Meadowdale142014–0
Glacier Peak highlights: Ruby Mensing 14 kills, 19 digs, two aces; Maddi Ober 14 kills, 14 digs; Reanna Jarchow 15 digs. Meadowdale highlights: not reported.
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