Volleyball notebook: No team made it unscathed

The CBBN coaches predicted before the season a topsy-turvy league season, and they proved to be correct.

After two undefeated seasons in a row, Kamiakin lost not just once, but three times -- all in five sets, all on the road.

In fact, no team made it through league play undefeated, with Southridge capturing its first-ever title with a 13-1 mark.

Right on the Suns' heels were Eisenhower and Richland, each 12-2.

The Bombers handed Southridge its only league loss, but they also lost to Kamiakin in five and at 10th-place Eastmont.

It's that kind of parity that has even middle-of-the-pack teams excited about their chances in this week's 4A district tournament, which opens tonight with four matches at higher seeds and finishes Saturday at Southridge HS.

The top five finishers advance to the 4A regional tournament next Friday and Saturday in Spokane.

"We're the No. 6 seed, and Richland is the 2, but this match just shows you the district tournament could be anyone's to win," said Wa-Hi coach Audra Cummings following her team's four-set loss to the Bombers a week ago in the season finale. The Blue Devils open district play at Eisenhower.

"There are no huge gaps among the top teams," she continued.

Southridge, as the top seed, hosts No. 8 seed Eastmont, which clinched its berth by sweeping Moses Lake in its final match. The Suns have the league's top setter in junior Andrea Smith (10.1 assists per set) and one of the leading MVP candidates in senior OH Heather Worley (3.8 kills, 3.9 digs).

Richland, seeded No. 2 by virtue of its sweep of Ike, hosts Kennewick, and Bombers coach Bob Raidl figures to remind his team about last year's first round, when it was the only higher seed to lose -- to Pasco in five sets.

Kamiakin went 2-2 down the stretch after losing senior MB Kristi Beyer for the season to a torn ACL in her left knee. The Braves dropped to the No. 4 seed and open against Wenatchee, the 2006 district champ which doubled its win total of a year ago.

-- The CBBN 3As are off until Tuesday, when all three teams gather in Yakima to decide the two regional qualifiers. Hanford plays Sunnyside in a loser-out match, with the winner playing West Valley for seeding to next Saturday's 3A regional at Hanford HS.

-- The CWAC finishes regular-season play tonight with four matches that will not affect seeding into next week's district tournament. Othello and Prosser each are No. 3 seeds in their division and will host play-in matches Tuesday, while Grandview has a bye until Thursday's semifinals. The top three teams qualify for the 2A state tournament.

-- The SCAC also finishes regular-season play tonight, with the East seeds set -- No. 4-ranked Royal went unbeaten in division play and is the top seed, followed by Connell, Columbia (Burbank) and River View. First-round district matches are Tuesday at higher seeds, with the tournament finishing next Saturday in Cowiche. Three teams qualify for state.

-- The Southeast 2B/1B South finishes tonight with three matches. Liberty Christian is the division's top seed to next week's 2B district tournament, while division champion Tri-Cities Prep is the No. 2 seed to the 1B district tournament. The top two 2B and three 1B teams qualify for state.