Volleyball

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)
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)
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)
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)
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)