Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008

Kamiakin's title run stops short

By Rene Ferran, Herald staff writer

Marcy Hjellum kept her emotions in check through interview after interview following her Kamiakin volleyball team's three-set loss to Lewis & Clark in Saturday night's 4A state final.

"I'm split on the inside, though," she said. "Sad and happy."

When her coach, Mary Opitz, finally emerged from underneath the Toyota Center stands where her team cubicle was, sadness finally won out. Opitz gave her senior outside hitter a huge hug, and the tears began flowing.

The Braves, in their first-ever state final, lost 25-12, 25-20, 25-22 to the Tigers, who had finished second at state the past two years to Mead and won their first title since 1994.

"Second in state, it's amazing," said Hjellum, who had seven kills and 11 digs in her final high school match. "It's the first time in school history for Kamiakin. All of us seniors are proud to be on the team that did this."

For LC, the victory maintained Spokane's dominance over the 4A ranks. Greater Spokane League teams have won 16 state titles, including the last six -- and for good measure, Shadle Park won the 3A title Friday night.

LC (27-1) was the only team to beat Kamiakin (33-5) in a best-of-5 match this season, needing five sets last week to best the Braves at regionals.

"We'd finished second the last two years, and we wanted it so bad this year," said LC senior Chloe Rowand, who had 18 kills and three blocks. "We deserved this."

In the 2A final, Tumwater avenged its loss in last year's championship match to Selah, dethroning the two-time titlists in four sets.