By Chris Trujillo
Herald Writer
MARYSVILLE – The newcomers weren’t even supposed to leave with a state berth, let alone the shiny Western Conference 4A crown.
But they did, in a dominating manner no less.
From their mediocre 5-4 regular-season finish, the Stanwood Spartans, formerly from the Wesco 3A, shocked three higher-ranked teams on their way to claiming the Wesco championship and the No. 1 seed into next week’s state tournament during Saturday’s district championship played at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.
“We were more motivated because it was our first year in 4A,” Stanwood standout Christina Palmer said. “We knew we had to step it up, and we did. We never felt like we were at a disadvantage playing 4A. We felt confident.”
The Spartans, behind the hard hitting Palmer, defeated the Snohomish Panthers convincingly, 15-6, 15-6 in the championship game. The Spartans, who lost to Snohomish in the regular season, never trailed and anchored themselves by building big leads in both games. During the first game, the Spartans jumped out to a 7-2 lead, but Snohomish narrowed the score by going on a 4-0 run. That was the closest Snohomish would get. From there on, the Spartans played nearly flawless volleyball.
Late in the game, Parker unleashed one of her many message-sending kills, which allowed the Spartans to take a 14-6 lead. Snohomish did the rest by committing a costly error, which gave the Spartans a 1-0 series lead.
There was little drama in game two, thanks to Stanwood’s commanding play, which led to 10 unanswered points. With a comfy 14-6 lead in hand, Stanwood’s Ashley Eddy slammed the door shut for good, with her fourth kill of the game to secure the victory.
“We didn’t know what to expect this being the first year as a 4A team,” Von Moos said. “But we had a lot of tough matches against teams like Marysville-Pilchuck, Cascade and Snohomish. Those matches taught us what 4A is all about.”
Stanwood advanced to the championship round by defeating Mountlake Terrace, 15-12, 15-10, and Cascade 15-9, 11-15, 15-10. This will be the Spartans’ second trip to the state tournament in the past three years.
Snohomish defeated Everett 15-9, 15-12 and Marysville-Pilchuck 16-14, 5-15, 15-12 to earn the No. 2 seed to state. Snohomish snaps a decade-long state tournament drought.
“This is such an awesome group of kids,” Snohomish coach Shirley Siegel said. “Our goal at the beginning of the season was to go to the district, and now we’re going to state. It’s been a great season.”
The biggest surprise from Saturday’s day-long tournament came from Wesco North’s only undefeated team, the Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks, who claimed the third and final state berth by defeating Cascade 15-13, 15-12 in the final round of the loser’s bracket.
“It was pretty hard to shake off those losses,” the Tomahawks’ Mariko Coverdale said. “We do well under pressure, we are used to it . Every point, error and serve was important. I knew we would get fired up for this game. This is the best feeling in the world.”
After squeezing past Edmonds-Woodway 15-11, 15-7, the Tomahawks broke down for the first time this year, losing in three sets 16-14, 5-15, 15-12 to Snohomish. Also making the list of surprises was the Mountlake Terrace Hawks, who topped the South Division with a 7-2 league record. After losing to Stanwood, 15-13, 15-10 in the first round, the Hawks bounced back by beating Shorecrest 15-12, 0-15, 15-10.
However, their season came to an end after losing to M-P, 4-15, 15-0, 15-9. The victory kept the Tomahawks’ hopes for a second trip to state in as many years alive.
But first they had Cascade to deal with.
M-P’s 6-foot-2 Coverdale roamed the front line as if it was her own backyard. Nothing was going to get by her, and rarely did. The Tommies, after building what seemed like an insurmountable lead, 11-3, but found themselves battling just to stay ahead. Cascade scored eight unanswered points to narrow the score to 11-11. From there, the teams went back and forth before the Tomahawks wrapped it up with a solidly executed offensive attack.
M-P opened up game two just like game one by building a 6-0 lead. This time around, the Tomahawks weren’t going to cave. Although the Bruins made a few rallies, most of which were harmless, M-P kept control and finished up the Bruins appropiately from a Coverdale kill.
Class 3A Northwest District playoffs: At Lynden H.S., Lynnwood (12-7 overall) lost to Sehome in three games in the semifinals, then came back to win three straight loser-out consolation matches, including a 15-13, 16-14 winner-to-state victory over Sehome in the second-place game, to earn a state tournament berth. Burlington-Edison defeated Sehome 16-14, 15-10 in the championship match. Meadowdale (8-8) was eliminated by Ferndale, 15-13, 15-8, in consolation play.
Class 2A Northwest District playoffs: At Sultan H.S., Granite Falls (13-6 overall) defeated Nooksack Valley 15-5, 15-13 to capture third place and a state tournament berth. Lynden Christian upset North Cascades Conference champion Meridian 3-15, 15-10, 15-13 in the first-place match. Lynden Christian dropped Granite Falls into consolation play in the semifinals. The Tigers went onto eliminate South Whidbey to reach the third-place match.
Class A tri-district playoffs: At Edmonds-Woodway H.S., Life Christian won two of three games over Coupeville in the championship match. Both teams advanced to state along with third-place Orcas Island, fourth-place La Conner, fidth-place King’s and sixth-place Bellevue Christian.
Class B tri-district playoffs: At Shorecrest High School, Darrington edged Lopez 14-6, 16-14, 15-8 in the championship match. Darrington also beat Lopez in a tiebreaker Tuesday after the two teams, both of which earned state berths, tied for first place in the Northwest B League. In pool play, Darrington defeated Evergreen Lutheran 15-6, 15-4, Clallam Bay 15-10, 15-13 and Shoreline Christian 15-7, 15-10 to advance to the finals. Lopez defeated Summit 15-1, 15-4, Seattle Lutheran 15-4, 19-17 and Neah Bay 15-2, 15-4. Evergreen Lutheran defeated Summit 15-7, 5-15, 15-13, to earn the No. 3 seed and a trip to state.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.