EVERETT — Stephanie Augustavo and her Bishop Blanchet teammates made up for their early exit from last year’s state volleyball tournament.
The top-ranked Braves dismantled White River 24-21, 25-10, 25-20 in the Class 3A championship match Nov. 6 at the Everett Events Center.
Blanchet settled for fifth last season following an upset loss in the opening round.
“This is so emotional and so special,” Braves coach Joanne Gilligan said. “We just came into the tournament feeling we could compete with any team here and we proved that tonight.”
The Shoreline connection of Augustavo, middle blockers Merryl Pohl and Alicia Adiele and setter Tori Ross guided the Braves to their first title since 1991 and a 32-5 overall record.
Augustavo collected 16 kills against fourth-ranked White River to push her tournament total to 73 in four matches. The senior outside hitter added two blocks and 12 digs.
Ross contributed 27 assists, three aces, two blocks and five digs, Pohl had eight kills and a block and Adiele had three kills and three blocks.
“Losing to Prosser last year (in the first round) was key,” Augustavo said. “All season we called it the ‘P’ word and it reminded us to take it one match at a time and never overlook a team again.”
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