Volleyball

Lake Stevens libero Alyss Kelly returns a serve against Glacier Peak on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

The Herald’s 2023 All-Area high school volleyball teams

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

 

Lynnwood senior middle blocker Hannah Johnson is The Herald’s Volleyball Player of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The Herald’s 2023 Volleyball Player of the Year: Hannah Johnson

The Lynnwood senior’s on-court production and determined leadership help key a historic season for the Royals.

 

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 Day 2: Lynnwood, Lake Stevens earn trophies

The Royals secure their best-ever finish by placing 3rd in Class 3A; The Vikings take 4th in 4A.

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)

State volleyball Day 1: Lynnwood, Lake Stevens advance to semifinals

The Royals remain unbeaten and advance in the 3A tournament; The Vikings inch closer to a return trip to the title game in 4A.

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)
Lynnwood’s Ady Martin, right, celebrates with her teammates during a Wesco 3A District volleyball matchup against Shorecrest on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lynnwood’s Ady Martin, right, celebrates with her teammates during a Wesco 3A District volleyball matchup against Shorecrest on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Claire Mackintosh tries to get the ball over two blockers against North Creek during the Wesco 4A district 1/2 championship match Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Henry M. Jackson High School in Mill Creek, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens volleyball falls in district title thriller

The Vikings, led by Laura Eichert, take North Creek to the limit before losing in five.

Lake Stevens’ Claire Mackintosh tries to get the ball over two blockers against North Creek during the Wesco 4A district 1/2 championship match Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Henry M. Jackson High School in Mill Creek, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Shorewood freshman Ashley Anderson serves during a Wesco 3A District volleyball matchup against Meadowdale on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Shorewood rallies, tops Meadowdale to clinch state berth

The Stormrays use a pivotal push in the 3rd set and move on the Class 3A District 1 title game.

Shorewood freshman Ashley Anderson serves during a Wesco 3A District volleyball matchup against Meadowdale on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lynnwood’s Ady Martin, right, celebrates with her teammates during a Wesco 3A District volleyball matchup against Shorecrest on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lynnwood sweeps Shorecrest in district semis, secures state berth

The unbeaten Royals use a balanced effort to move on to the Class 3A District 1 title match.

Lynnwood’s Ady Martin, right, celebrates with her teammates during a Wesco 3A District volleyball matchup against Shorecrest on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Laura Eichert (22) and Katelyn Eichert (2) pose for a photo at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Lake Stevens volleyball sisters ‘elevating each other’s game’

Katelyn and Laura Eichert are crushing the Vikings’ record books as a lethal setter-hitter combo.

Laura Eichert (22) and Katelyn Eichert (2) pose for a photo at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Arlington running back Caleb Reed takes a handoff against Ballard during a playoff matchup Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Arlington High School in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Seedings released for state football, soccer, small-school volleyball

Lake Stevens and Arlington football and Shorewood girls soccer receive the highest marks for local squads.

Arlington running back Caleb Reed takes a handoff against Ballard during a playoff matchup Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Arlington High School in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Lake Stevens squad all hit the court trying to save the ball against Glacier Peak on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Lake Stevens squad all hit the court trying to save the ball against Glacier Peak on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lynnwood players and head coach Annalise Mudaliar celebrate during a volleyball game between Lynnwood and Shorecrest at Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Washington on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Lynnwood took the win. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Lynnwood volleyball sweeps Shorecrest in battle of Wesco 3A/2A unbeatens

The Royals complete their 10th straight sweep; Sammy Holmer delivers 12 kills in a top-tier league showdown.

Lynnwood players and head coach Annalise Mudaliar celebrate during a volleyball game between Lynnwood and Shorecrest at Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Washington on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Lynnwood took the win. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Lynnwood teammates mob senior Abbie Orr (4) after her impressive dig led to a point against Jackson during a volleyball match Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at Lynnwood High School in Bothell, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lynnwood volleyball team continues rise to prominence

After ending a 20-year state drought last season, the Royals are surging again and have vaulted to No. 3 in Class 3A in the new WSVCA poll.

Lynnwood teammates mob senior Abbie Orr (4) after her impressive dig led to a point against Jackson during a volleyball match Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at Lynnwood High School in Bothell, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Arlington’s Emme Shaffer reacts to scoring point during the game against Stanwood on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Arlington beats Stanwood in rivalry matchup

The Eagles earn a 3-1 win over the Spartans in the volleyball edition of the Stilly Cup.

Arlington’s Emme Shaffer reacts to scoring point during the game against Stanwood on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens' Laura Eichert (3) spikes past Graham-Kapowsin's Grace Peterson (4) 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)

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.

Lake Stevens' Laura Eichert (3) spikes past Graham-Kapowsin's Grace Peterson (4) 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)
Lynnwood junior Harmony Johnson goes for the kill against Jackson during a volleyball match Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at Lynnwood High School in Bothell, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

GALLERY: Lynnwood volleyball sweeps Jackson

The Royals use a balanced effort and stay perfect on the season with a 3-0 victory.

Lynnwood junior Harmony Johnson goes for the kill against Jackson during a volleyball match Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at Lynnwood High School in Bothell, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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.

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

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)