2A volleyball bracket breakdown: Steilacoom, Washington among locals in the hunt for championship
The Washington high school volleyball state tournaments take place in Yakima this weekend. Here’s a look at the Class 2A tournament and what to watch for as it begins at 7 a.m. on Friday morning.
WHO’S THE TEAM TO BEAT?
The natural default answer here is the No. 1 seed, Columbia River. The Rapids have been dominant all season, losing just once all year – and that was back on September 21, in the opening match of Greater St. Helen’s League play.
The Ridgefield Spudders, the senior-laden defending 2A champs, swept Columbia River that night to extend a winning streak that ultimately would reach 51 matches and span nearly three calendar years. That is, until exactly a month later.
The Rapids turned the tables on Ridgefield on Oct. 21, rebounding for a 3-1 set victory and ending that winning streak. The teams that have spent most of the season ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in 2A met again last week for the District 4 title.
In a back-and-forth match, Columbia River eventually got out of the gym with a five-set thriller of a victory – and the top seed to the state tournament.
“It’s amazing,” River hitter Lauren Dreves told the Columbian that night. “That fifth set was intense. … Our team really fought and stayed together that set. We chose to play for each other.”
The two Southwest Washington powerhouses enter state with their only losses having come to each other.
Dreves paces the Rapids offense, while Ridgefield senior Emily Vossenkuhl leads the Spudders attack. Vossenkuhl will play collegiately on the beach beginning next fall, for the University of Southern California.
The GSHL rivals are positioned where they easily could meet a fourth time this season – in Saturday’s 2A championship match. With Ridgefield the No. 3 seed, the Spudders are on the opposite side of the bracket from the Rapids.
“I think you’d have to say that Ridgefield is still the team to beat,” Washington Patriots coach Paul Souza said.
Ridgefield opens the tournament against No. 14 Sequim at 7 a.m. on Friday at the Yakima Sundome, one of the first five matches of the tournament. The Rapids start in the second group, against No. 16 Mark Morris, at 8:45.
WHICH SOUTH SOUND TEAMS COULD MAKE A RUN?
While the pair of favorites may be invaders from the southwest, sandwiched between them from the 2A South Puget Sound League are the No. 2 seed Steilacoom Sentinels. Steilacoom begins against No. 15 Shadle Park at 7 a.m. on Friday.
The Sentinels have been good all season, but really have taken their game up another notch as the post-season has gotten rolling.
“A lot of volleyball is about peaking at the right time,” Souza said. “Steilacoom is playing so well. They are peaking at the right time.”
The Sentinels enter the tournament riding a 17-match unbeaten streak. The only blemish of that run was a two-set tie with Burlington-Edison at a tournament in mid-October.
Steilacoom last lost back on September 28, at the Patriots. The Sentinels have gotten here by developing a chemistry through hard work.
“Our scrimmages in practice are competitive and high level,” Steilacoom coach Blair Suek said. “All the girls support each other unconditionally, and we are truly a family that loves each other on and off the court.”
A pair of wins on Friday likely would set up a Saturday morning semifinal showdown with the aforementioned Ridgefield Spudders, the defending (2019) champs.
“We didn’t really have expectations on seeding,” Suek said. “But we’re grateful to be recognized for our hard work this year and growth throughout the season. We are excited to compete against the best teams in 2A and show the state what Steilacoom volleyball is all about. We have high goals for the weekend and hope to meet them with teamwork, solid serving and passing and defense.”
Washington, the No. 5 seed, finds itself on the other side of the loaded bracket. The Patriots have continued to find success this season despite a shorter bench, both figuratively and literally. “I think we lived off of our reputation a little early on,” Souza said. “We told the girls, you’ve got to live on your own reputation. And they’ve done that.”
Washington plugged in a new setter this season, Erin Ah Sue, a club defensive specialist and libero who wasn’t normally a setter. But Souza tapped her for the role as the next best athlete the Patriots had after offensive threats Sirena Peredo and Charmayne Faamaulsili, and said Ah Sue has provided great leadership.
Like the rest of the team, Ah Sue isn’t the largest of stature at 5-foot-1. But she gets the job done. Even top hitter Peredo is just 5-9. But her leaping ability allows Pereda to play much bigger.
“We always are moving Sirena and Charmayne around on attacks,” Souza said. “To try and surprise other team’s defenses, not being very deep and with no height.”
DIFFERENCE MAKERS FROM SOUTH SOUND TEAMS
Sirena Peredo, Washington, jr. - Don’t let the 5-foot-6 frame fool you, she plays outside, is a devastating hitter and easily elevates over blocks.
Charmayne Faamausili, Washington, sr. — Versatile 5-9 athlete at outside hitter who has found success despite being on the shorter side. Sometimes shy off the court, transforms into a fierce competitor on it as she fills the role of encourager and challenger for the Patriots.
Nai Kaleopa, Steilacoom, sr. — Absolute stopper in the middle with 24 total blocks possesses great court vision that puts her in the right position offensively, where she’s contributed 132 kills for the No. 2 seed.
Dani Faamausili, Steilacoom, sr. — The third of the tri-captains, she runs the offense seamlessly, delivers the ball where her offense can finish and plays stellar defense. Has 300 assists this season.
Gabi Faamausili, Steilacoom, sr. — Brings the energy from the outside, makes the big plays when needed as a tri-captain. Has 263 kills and 25 blocks for the Sentinels heading into the tournament.
Taylor Albert, Steilacoom, sr. — Captain libero who brings a calming presence and anchors the defensive efforts in the back row, averging 15.9 digs a match with 269 overall. Serves at a 84.4 percent clip with 192 aces.
Erin Ah Sue, Washington, sr. — Stepped in to become the Patriots setter despite not really playing the position previously. At 5-1, is a defensive specialist that has served the team need well.
Elle Thomas, White River, sr. — The South Sound all-league selection as a junior last spring has 326 kills and is hitting at a .295 clip for the Hornets.
Marissa Dahl, White River, sr. — Makes the Hornets offense run from her setter position, where she has amassed 612 assists, an average of 8.7 assists per match.
Alyssa Duncan, Tumwater, jr. – The T-Birds middle blocker recently was named the Evergreen Conference most valuable player, averaging 2.4 kills a set and, despite being a front row player, two digs per set.
Brooklynn Hayes, Tumwater, fr. – Directed the Tumwater offense as the team’s libero. A first-team all-EvCo selection, she was the only freshman selected on the first or second all-conference rosters.
Macy Furtwangler, Enumclaw, jr. - Outside hitter is an aggressive server, plays strong defense for Hornets.
Kira HiWaaboo, Enumclaw, sr. - Hornets’ setter is ‘passionate,’ runs down every ball and plays at 100 miles per hour. Distributes the ball well and has a high volleyball IQ.
Correction: An earlier version of this article included a stat line from a high school girls soccer player for Washington’s Charmayne Faamausili. It was corrected Thursday night.
This story was originally published November 18, 2021 at 1:45 PM with the headline "2A volleyball bracket breakdown: Steilacoom, Washington among locals in the hunt for championship."