Volleyball crown is up for grabs in Wesco 4A

By JOHN McDONALD

Prep Editor

Marysville-Pilchuck is the leader in the clubhouse, but Cascade and Kamiak are still on the course with chances to tie for the Western Conference 4A volleyball title.

The Tomahawks completed their regular season last week, posting a 9-1 record with a victory over Kamiak. The Knights, who earlier handed Cascade is only league defeat, host Shorecrest tonight. Cascade hosts Oak Harbor. Both can tie M-P for first with victories.

Meanwhile, Edmonds-Woodway, Sehome and Shorecrest go into play tonight tied for fourth place. The E-W-Sehome winner will do no worse than a tie for fourth with Shorecrest. Mountlake Terrace can climb into the playoff picture by beating Snohomish.

The top six teams advance to the bi-district tournament, which begins Thursday.

The regular season also concludes tonight in the Wesco 3A. Stanwood and Lake Stevens, which split their head-to-head contests, go into play tied for first. Monroe can do no worse than fourth place. Lynnwood can do no worse than third with a win tonight at Meadowdale.

The top four teams qualify for the Northwest District playoffs Saturday at Stanwood.

The Class 3A Northwest District playoffs continue tonight with championship semifinals at Mount Vernon and consolation play at Burlington-Edison. In the winner-to-state games at Mount Vernon, Meadowdale faces Squalicum at 5 p.m. followed by the Lake Stevens vs. Mount Vernon game at 7. In the loser-out games at B-E, Bellingham plays Arlington at 5, while Ferndale plays Jackson at 7.

Qualifying for the Class 4A bi-district playoffs begins with Kingco 4A playoff games today. Woodinville tangles with Bothell in one loser-out contest, while Redmond meets Eastlake in the other. Shorewood plays Cascade Wednesday in a Wesco 4A playoff. The bi-district playoff games are scheduled on Saturday.

The top four teams in the North Cascades Conference will play off for bi-district berths beginning today. South Whidbey plays at Lakewood in a winner-to-district game, while Meridian faces Blaine in a loser-out contest. The Meridian-Blaine winner will play the South Whidbey-Lakewood loser on Thursday for a bi-district berth.

The Class 4A Northwest District doubles tournament runs Thursday through Saturday. The top two teams will advance to next May’s state meet.

The defending state champion Snohomish Panthers should dominate the Class 4A Northwest District meet Saturday at the Marysville-Pilchuck pool. Prelims are Thursday with diving prelims Friday

Meadowdale and Anacortes will represent their respective leagues as champions when swimmers from the Wesco 3A and Northwest 3A gather at Fidalgo pool in Anacortes for the Northwest District meet. Prelims are Friday with finals Saturday.