Volleyball

Monroe’s Jessi Mahler sets the ball over the net during the match against Snohomish on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The Herald’s 2022 All-Area high school volleyball teams

A look at the top prep volleyball players in the area this fall.

 

Lake Stevens senior outside hitter Bella Christensen is The Herald’s Volleyball Player of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The Herald’s 2022 Volleyball Player of the Year: Bella Christensen

The hard-hitting Air Force commit compiled a stellar senior season and starred in Lake Stevens’ run to a 2nd-place state trophy.

 

Lake Stevens' Katelyn Eichert (24) reaches over teammate Alyss Kelly to punch the ball up as Graham-Kapowsin celebrates another point during the WIAA state volleyball championship on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at the Yakima Valley SunDome in Yakima, Wash. Graham-Kapowsin defeated Lake Stevens 3-0 to win the state championship 25-21, 25-18 and 25-22. (TJ Mullinax/for The Herald)

Lake Stevens swept by G-K in 4A volleyball title match

The Vikings power past No. 1 Puyallup to reach the championship, but fall to the Eagles in three sets to finish second.

 

Stanwood's Mischa Kessler is blocked by Monroe's Campbell Barrow as Stanwood took on Monroe in a volleyball game on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 in Stanwood, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

State volleyball roundup: Lake Stevens reaches 4A semifinals

The Vikings will face No. 1 Puyallup Saturday for a trip to the title match; Jackson remains alive in the consolation bracket.

Stanwood's Mischa Kessler is blocked by Monroe's Campbell Barrow as Stanwood took on Monroe in a volleyball game on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 in Stanwood, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Stanwood's Mischa Kessler is blocked by Monroe's Campbell Barrow as Stanwood took on Monroe in a volleyball game on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 in Stanwood, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

3A state volleyball roundup: Local teams out of title chase

All four local teams suffered at least one loss on the opening day of the 3A state tournament; Lynnwood reaches Day 2.

Stanwood's Mischa Kessler is blocked by Monroe's Campbell Barrow as Stanwood took on Monroe in a volleyball game on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 in Stanwood, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Snohomish senior Liviya Harrison celebrates a point in the fifth set of the Panthers' win over Ferndale in a 3A District 1 Tournament semifinal match on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Katie Webber / For The Herald)

A look at local teams competing at state volleyball tournaments this week

Lake Stevens, Jackson, Snohomish, Meadowdale, Lynnwood and Monroe open tournament play this week.

Snohomish senior Liviya Harrison celebrates a point in the fifth set of the Panthers' win over Ferndale in a 3A District 1 Tournament semifinal match on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Katie Webber / For The Herald)
Adia Weighter, center, leads the team in a cheer before the end of their last official practice before heading to the state tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Fighting spirit’ lifts Lynnwood to state volleyball berth

With a pair of bounce-back wins in the district tournament, the Royals reached state for the first time since 2003.

Adia Weighter, center, leads the team in a cheer before the end of their last official practice before heading to the state tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Meadowdale junior Lataya Mitchell (10) celebrates with her team after the Mavericks' win over Monroe in a 3A District 1 Tournament semifinal match on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Katie Webber / For The Herald)

Meadowdale volleyball sweeps Monroe for 1st state berth since 2013

The Mavericks avenge an early-season loss and dominate the Bearcats in the 3A District 1 semifinals.

Meadowdale junior Lataya Mitchell (10) celebrates with her team after the Mavericks' win over Monroe in a 3A District 1 Tournament semifinal match on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Katie Webber / For The Herald)
Snohomish senior Ayla Grant celebrates after winning a point against Ferndale during a 3A District 1 Tournament semifinal match on Nov. 10, 2022, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Katie Webber / For The Herald)

Snohomish volleyball outlasts Ferndale, clinches 5th consecutive state berth

The Panthers finally get past their district nemesis with a tense 5-set win in the 3A District 1 semifinals.

Snohomish senior Ayla Grant celebrates after winning a point against Ferndale during a 3A District 1 Tournament semifinal match on Nov. 10, 2022, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Katie Webber / For The Herald)
The Lake Stevens' bench rushes onto the court to celebrate their team's win over Bothell during a 4A District 1/2 Tournament game on Nov. 8, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (John Gardner / Pro Action Image)

Lake Stevens volleyball clinches 6th consecutive state berth

The Vikings sweep Bothell in a 4A District 1/2 semifinal and secure another trip to Yakima for the state tournament.

The Lake Stevens' bench rushes onto the court to celebrate their team's win over Bothell during a 4A District 1/2 Tournament game on Nov. 8, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (John Gardner / Pro Action Image)

Snohomish tops Murphy in battle of Wesco 3A/2A title contenders

The Panthers take hold of first place in the league with a win in four sets.

Lake Stevens’ Bella Christensen spikes the ball past Glacier Peak’s Julia Martin during the match on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

GALLERY: Lake Stevens sweeps Glacier Peak in Wesco 4A volleyball clash

The Vikings prevail in a matchup of league unbeatens.

Lake Stevens’ Bella Christensen spikes the ball past Glacier Peak’s Julia Martin during the match on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish’s Adriannah Galvan jumps to tip the ball over the net during the match against Monroe on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

GALLERY: Snohomish tops Monroe in Wesco volleyball action

The Panthers earn a 3-1 win over the Bearcats on Tuesday night to stay unbeaten in league play.

Snohomish’s Adriannah Galvan jumps to tip the ball over the net during the match against Monroe on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bart Foley, head coach, watches the play during practice Monday afternoon at Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood, Washington on September 19, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Ex-King’s coach hopes to turn Meadowdale into volleyball power

Bart Foley won three state titles as coach of the Knights and has visions of doing the same for the Mavericks.

Bart Foley, head coach, watches the play during practice Monday afternoon at Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood, Washington on September 19, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Arlington's Chloe Lewis, facing, leads a cheer for a point against Lake Stevens Tuesday evening at Arlington High School in Arlington, Washington on September 6, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Prep volleyball season preview: Teams and players to watch

A look at the area’s top squads and athletes on the volleyball court this fall.

Arlington's Chloe Lewis, facing, leads a cheer for a point against Lake Stevens Tuesday evening at Arlington High School in Arlington, Washington on September 6, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Archbishop Murphy celebrates after taking a late lead in the first set against Shorecrest on Wednesday, Sep. 14, 2022, at Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

GALLERY: Archbishop Murphy volleyball sweeps Shorecrest

The Wildcats win 3-0 in a Wesco 3A/2A clash on Wednesday night.

Archbishop Murphy celebrates after taking a late lead in the first set against Shorecrest on Wednesday, Sep. 14, 2022, at Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Lake Stevens bench cheer for the start of a timeout by the Eagles in the second set Tuesday evening at Arlington High School in Arlington, Washington on September 6, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

GALLERY: Lake Stevens tops Arlington in volleyball opener

The Vikings win 3-0 as fall sports get underway in earnest on Tuesday night.

The Lake Stevens bench cheer for the start of a timeout by the Eagles in the second set Tuesday evening at Arlington High School in Arlington, Washington on September 6, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Arlington's Reese Remle jumps to block a kill attempt by Stanwood's Olivia Rueckert Thursday night at Stanwood High School on October 21, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

The Herald’s 2021 All-Area high school volleyball teams

A look at the top prep volleyball players in the area this fall.

Arlington's Reese Remle jumps to block a kill attempt by Stanwood's Olivia Rueckert Thursday night at Stanwood High School on October 21, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Emily Mekelburg, Arlington senior outside hitter, is the . All-Area Volleyball Player of the Year. Mekelberg averaged 4.6 kills, 1.3 digs and 0.9 aces per set while helping lead the Eagles to a Wesco 3A/2A title and a sixth-place finish at the Class 3A state tournament. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

The Herald’s Volleyball Player of the Year: Emily Mekelburg

The Arlington senior capped a stellar high school career by helping lead the Eagles to a sixth-place finish in state.

Emily Mekelburg, Arlington senior outside hitter, is the . All-Area Volleyball Player of the Year. Mekelberg averaged 4.6 kills, 1.3 digs and 0.9 aces per set while helping lead the Eagles to a Wesco 3A/2A title and a sixth-place finish at the Class 3A state tournament. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Arlington's Chloe Fochesato, left, and Arlington's Emily Mekelburg celebrate a time out by Snohomish Wednesday night at Arlington High School on September 29, 2021. The Eagles won in straight sets. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

4 local volleyball players receive all-state honors

Standouts from Lake Stevens, Arlington and Darrington were named to the WSVCA all-state teams.

Arlington's Chloe Fochesato, left, and Arlington's Emily Mekelburg celebrate a time out by Snohomish Wednesday night at Arlington High School on September 29, 2021. The Eagles won in straight sets. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)