EVERETT – Three teams, six matches, one win.
It was a rough first day at the Class 4A state volleyball tournament for the three Western Conference teams on Friday at the Everett Events Center.
Jackson, Snohomish, and Everett high schools each lost opening round matches, and only Everett advanced to the second day of play.
“We had higher goals than just getting to state,” said Snohomish coach Shirley Siegel, whose Panthers lost 3-0 to Emerald Ridge in the first round and 3-1 to Spanaway Lake in a loser-out match.
“Volleyball is an extremely emotional game, and it never hurts to have luck on your side in a tournament. It was a great experience for these girls just to get to state.”
With Jackson and Snohomish both taking an early exit from the tournament, Wesco’s only hope for a state trophy this year was left with Everett, who came into the tournament with a 17-0 record.
“We got a really tough draw,” said Everett coach Heather Burglund, referring to the Seagulls’ 24-26, 25-22, 25-20, 25-14 first-round loss to perennial power University of Spokane.
“The girls came out fighting but started running out of steam toward the end.”
After falling to University, Everett charged to a quick 2-0 lead against Woodinville in its consolation match.
A slight hiccup in the form of a 22-25 loss in Game 3 woke up Everett just in time to take a 26-24 Game 4 win and the match. Wesco’s lone survivor plays Kentwood in a loser-out game at 9 a.m. today at the Events Center.
“The girls refocused and showed they deserve to make it to (today),” Burglund said. “We need to keep proving something.”
Leading the way for Everett was senior outside hitter Jennifer Luatua. Seemingly everywhere on the court at once, Luatua had 27 kills, and 63 digs in two games, including 19 kills and 24 digs against Woodinville.
Setter Nicole Barhanovich made a total of 72 assists in the two-game span. Teammate Katelyn Price had nine kills against University and made 30 total digs in two games.
“It was amazing to get a win,” said Everett’s Kelsey Larsen, who finished with 12 digs against Woodinville. “We knew we had to win and we had to keep fighting.”
After losing 25-22, 25-20, 25-15 in the first round, it looked as though Snohomish had regrouped against Spanaway Lake, winning the first game 25-20. Things quickly went downhill from there, however, as Spanaway Lake reeled off three straight wins, 25-10, 25-18, 25-16 to close out the match.
Snohomish junior Daesha Henderson had 23 digs and seven kills in the two games and teammate Jenny Heard led the team with a total of 13 kills and three blocks in the two-game span. Ashley Barnet made 26 assists during the tournament, while Stephanie Heard made 11 kills for the Panthers, who finished the season with a 17-4 record.
“We had played them before this season and beat them,” Siegel said. “Spanaway Lake just had a couple girls take it to us.”
Jackson’s journey in the tournament came to an end with a 3-0 loss to Kentwood in a consolation match. Jackson, which lost 25-18, 25-15, 25-20 and finished the season 10-8, was knocked out of the championship bracket by Heritage of Vancouver (25-12, 25-13, 26-24) in the first round.
“Just getting here has been a real bonus for us,” Jackson coach Amy Riesinger said. “It has been a great season and our younger girls have gained a lot of experience and will come back next year as a real power.”
The Timberwolves took a 2-1 lead early in the first game, but fell behind after Kentwood went on a 12-3 run to grab a commanding 14-4 lead. Jackson would not gain the lead again until midway through the third game when it went up 18-17 on an ace by Ashley Allen. That lead, however, lasted just a few seconds. The Conquerors tied score on the next point and then went on a 7-2 run to close out the match.
“These are the best teams around,” Allen said. “We knew it would be tough, but I don’t think we really knew how strong these teams really are.
“Just ending my high school career at state was great. It has been so much fun.”
Allen finished the game with nine kills and seven digs. For the day, the senior contributed 16 kills, five blocks and 18 digs. Jackson teammate Chelsey Crim, a 5-foot-10 senior striker, had seven assists against Kentwood and compiled 20 assists for the day.
Herald Writer Chris Trujillo contributed to this story
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