Stanwood stuns 4A field with championship effort

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.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Marysville Pilchuck claims 2A district wrestling title

Tomahawks win three individual championship bouts.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.