Curtis, Kennedy Catholic wins state volleyball titles
Curtis coach Michael Miller asked the Emerald Ridge team to take a group shot with his team after the 4A state match Saturday night at Toyota Center.
The Vikings had just beaten the Jaguars 25-21, 25-18, 18-25, 25-20 to win the school’s first state title, but in no way was Miller trying to rub it in.
“I have the highest respect for Bobby (McGivern),” Miller said of Emerald Ridge’s coach. “He is an amazing coach. Before the tournament, I saw we were in opposite sides of the bracket, and I said, ‘I’ll see you in the finals.’ ”
It was a fitting ending for the two SPSL South schools who had battled all season long. The Vikings came out on top all four times — including Saturday night — but in no way did the Jaguars make it easy on them.
“It’s always nice to get to the title dance,” said McGivern, whose team lost in the finals to Bellarmine Prep last year. “Two strong SPSL teams battling it out. This is pretty awesome after losing four seniors from last year’s team. We are young and I’m excited for our future.”
The Vikings (29-1) looked to have things under control after winning the first two sets, but the Jaguars weren’t going down without a fight, picking up the win in the third set to extend the match.
Save for an 11-11 tie in the fourth set, the Vikings led from start to finish.
“This is awesome, awesome, amazing,” said Miller, whose team lost in the state finals to Bellarmine Prep in 2013. “The girls worked really hard for this.”
Elly McEachern led Curtis with 23 kills and 27 digs, while Haley Morton had 50 assists and Camryn Buell 12 kills and 29 digs.
“This is a great way to finish our senior year,” McEachern said.
Makenna Smith had 16 kills and 16 digs for the Jaguars (21-10), while Tayler Templeman added 10 kills and 18 digs and Jadyn Mullen handed out 39 assists.
Third-fourth
Reeling from their first loss of the year, the West Valley (Yakima) Rams regrouped to beat Battle Ground 22-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-22, 15-10 for third place.
“It was really important to win this one,” Rams coach Katie Hinkley said. “That was our first loss of the season (to Emerald Ridge in the semifinals), and we wanted to leave on a positive note. It shows the heart of this team.
“All four of the teams in the semifinals were championship-caliber teams. Third is a huge accomplishment.”
The Rams (32-1) got 12 kills and three blocks from go-to girl Julia Mellander.
“She is our X-factor,” Hinkley said. “Most of the time when you give her the ball, it’s a kill.”
The Tigers (25-4) got 28 kills from Brooke Van Sickle and 27 assists from Ashley Watkins.
Fifth-sixth
After suffering a quarterfinal loss to Curtis, the Mead Panthers worked their way back through to earn a trophy, going the distance to beat Bellarmine Prep 22-25, 33-31, 25-17, 13-25, 15-11 for fifth place.
After missing out on state last year, it was a good accomplishment for the Panthers (29-3).
“Mead has a lot of tradition, and I was lucky to come in and have a good team,” said first-year coach Shawn Wilson. “I feel kind of blessed. Credit to them, they are a good team.”
Mead beat Monroe (29-3) 3-1 to earn a matchup with Bellarmine Prep (29-5), which had won the past three state titles.
Payton Douglass led Mead with 58 digs, while Amanda Chan had 16 kills and Sarah Absalonson 27 assists.
Megan Jacobson had 25 kills for the Lions, while Hannah Pukis handed out 45 assists.
Seventh-eighth
Central Valley rebounded from a first-set loss to beat Tahoma 19-25, 25-18, 25-15, 28-26 for seventh place.
KeAnn White had 11 kills for Central Valley (27-8), which was eighth at last year’s tournament.
“This is a good way for us to end the season,” CV coach Laurie Quigley said. “Our middles have been a huge key for us all year, and they came through again today.”
Ginny Mehl finished with 12 kills and five blocks for Tahoma (25-11), while Cydnee Miller added 33 assists and 19 digs, and Emily Smith and Sierra Stultz each had nine kills.
“They never rolled over and died,” Tahoma coach Kelly Kim said. “They fought for every point. In our first game, we came out strong and were firing on all cylinders. When we changed sides in the second, the unforced errors killed us.”
4A championship match
CURTIS 3, EMERALD RIDGE 1
Set scores: Curtis 25-21, 25-18, 18-25, 25-20. Curtis: Elly McEachern 23K, 1 aces, 27 digs; Camryn Buell 12K, 29 digs; Haley Morton 50 assts. Emerald Ridge: Makenna Smith 16K, 16 digs, 1B; Tayler Templeman 10K, 18 digs; Jadyn Mullen 39 assts, 14 digs.
4A third-fourth
WEST VALLEY 3, BATTLE GROUND 2
Set scores: West Valley 22-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-22, 15-10. West Valley: Julia Mellander 12K, 3B; Jillian Berg 17K, 16 digs; Sami Meyer 10 digs; Erica Meyer 50 assts, 10 digs; Parker Webb 13K, 2B. Battle Ground: Brooke Van Sickle 28K; Ashley Watkins 27 assts.
4A fifth-sixth
MEAD 3, BELLARMINE PREP 2
Set scores: Mead 22-25, 33-31, 25-17, 13-25, 15-12. Mead: Payton Douglass 58 digs; Amanda Chan 16K, 18 digs; Sarah Absalonson 27 assts; Makenna Russell 4K, 4B; Kim Wong 10K, 4B’ Lindsey Russell 10 assts. Bellarmine Prep: Addy Woolery 3 aces, 20 digs; Claire McCarthy 11K, 26 digs, Hannah Pukis 45 assts, 6K, 4B, 20 digs; McKenzie Schwan 13K, 23 digs; Megan Jacobson 25K, 4B.
4A seventh-eighth
4A seventh-eighth
CENTRAL VALLEY 3, TAHOMA 1
Set scores: Central Valley 19-25, 25-18, 25-15, 28-26. Central Valley: Jade Rockwood 38 assts; KeAnn White 11K, 4B; Meghan Rockwood 16 digs; Taryn Ungaro 16 digs. Tahoma: Cydnee Miller 33 assts, 19 digs; Ginny Mehl 12K, 5B; Emily Smith 9K, 2B, 6 digs; Sierra Stultz 9K, 7 digs; Paige Anthony 8K, 5 digs; Andrea Barrie 23 digs.
4A semifinals
EMERALD RIDGE 3, WEST VALLEY 0
Set scores: Emerald Ridge 25-15, 25-17, 26-24. Emerald Ridge: Makenna Smith 14K, 2 aces, 12 digs; Jadyn Mullen 27 assts, 8 digs; Tayler Templeman 7K, 9 digs; Allie Bauer, 10 digs; Ashley Wesenberg 3K, 6B; Kava Durr 3K, 1B; Sydney Neuman 2K, 2B. West Valley: Jillian Berg 11K, 8 digs; Sami Meyer 12 digs; Julia Mellander 7K, 4B; Megan Finley 1K, 1B; Parker Webb 3 aces, 9K, 2 digs; Erica Meyer 24 assts, 10 digs; Megan Martin 16 digs.
CURTIS 3, BATTLE GROUND 2
Set scores: Curtis 28-26, 25-21, 23-25, 27-29, 15-13. Curtis: Stats not reported. Battle Ground: Stats not reported.
4A consolations
TAHOMA 3, GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN 1
Set scores: Tahoma 21-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-19. Tahoma: Cydnee Miller 45 assts, 11 digs; Paige Anthony 2 aces, 14K, 2B, 13 digs; Ginny Mehl 2 aces, 15K, 4B; Andrea Barrie 26 digs; Sierra Stultz 8K, 16 digs. Graham-Kapowsin: Jordan Keane 2 aces, 32 assts, 16 digs; Ayla Carpenter 11K, 14 digs; Peyton Foster 10K, 9 digs; Julia Heronema 7K, 2B.
BELLARMINE PREP 3, PUYALLUP 0
Set scores: Bellarmine Prep 25-11, 25-21, 25-17. Puyallup: Stats no reported. Bellarmine Prep: Hannah Pukis 4K, 30 assts, 2 digs; Claire McCarthy 6K, 10 digs; McKenzie Schwan 19K, 12 digs; Megan Jacobsen 13K; Addy Woolery 12 digs.
MEAD 3, MONROE 1
Set scores: Mead 23-25, 28-26, 25-16, 25-15. Mead: Maddie Lee 3 aces, 12K, Amanda Chan 9K; Kim Wong 8K; Sarah Absalonson 15 assts; Lindsey Russell 15 assts; McKenna Russell 5B; Payton Douglass 30 digs. Monroe: Alley Hadden 21 assts; Tatum McGovern 11 assts; Meredith Teague 11K; Jessica Clark 9K, 19 digs; Mina Duong 22 digs.
CENTRAL VALLEY 3, JACKSON 0
Set scores: Central Valley 25-23, 25-17, 25-16. Central Valley: Paige VanMetre 3 aces; KeAnn White 12K; Sydney Johnson 12K; Jade Rockwood 34 assts; Hannah Reiman 4B; Meghan Rockwood 17 digs. Jackson: Stats not reported.
4A all-tournament team
Hitters: Elly McEachern, sr., Curtis; Julia Mellander, sr., West Valley; Brooke Van Sickle, sr., Battle Ground; Makenna Smith, sr., Emerald Ridge; Ginny Mehl, jr., Tahoma; Megan Jacobsen, sr., Bellarmine Prep. Setters: Hannah Pukis, so., Bellarmine Prep; Erica Meyer, jr., West Valley. Libero: Payton Douglass, sr., Mead.
3A Tournament
Kennedy Catholic won its first state volleyball title, beating Columbia River 27-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-20 at Toyota Center.
“This means so much,” Lancers coach Liz Quitiquit said. “This is an incredible group of girls. Columbia River is a great team. We were down in every set and never gave up. This is pretty amazing.”
The Lancers have had a goal to bring home a state banner the past two years, and now the banner will have a prominent place on the gym wall.
“It’s so nice to leave a mark,” Quitiquit said. “Every time the girls come back to the gym, they will have amazing memories.”
Apryll Eneliko led Kennedy Catholic with 25 kills and five blocks, while Shayne McPherson added 23 kills and Malia Aleaga handed out 56 assists.
Third-fourth
Defending champion Auburn Riverside, pushed out of title contention by Kennedy Catholic, regrouped to beat Shorewood 25-23, 25-17, 19-25, 25-21 for third place.
Calley Heilborn led the way for the Ravens (29-4) with 15 kills and 19 digs, while Lauren Smith handed out 20 assists.
Delaney Hopen had 15 kills and 19 digs for the Thunderbirds (25-2).
Fifth-sixth
All-tournament selection Angelou Dunton had 16 kills and 10 digs to lead Holy Names to a fifth-place finish with a 23-25, 25-15, 25-21, 25-21 victory over Lakeside.
The Cougars, who went 0-2 at the 3A tournament last year, had to win two loser-out matches to earn their trophy.
Columbia River had a good showing for its first year at the 4A level. The Chieftains were third at the 3A tournament last year.
Seventh-eighth
Auburn Mountainview won three loser-out matches to earn its hardware, finishing the weekend with a 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 sweep of Bishop Blanchet.
Kiley Lewis led the Lions with 24 kills and three blocks.
3A championship
KENNEDY CATHOLIC 3, COLUMBIA RIVER 1
Set scores: Kennedy Catholic 27-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-20. Kennedy Catholic: Apryll Eneliko 25K, 5B; Shayne McPherson 23K, 22 digs; Malia Aleaga 56 assts. Columbia River: Stats not reported.
3A third-fourth
AUBURN RIVERSIDE 3, SHOREWOOD 1
Set scores: Auburn Riverside 25-23, 25-17, 19-25, 25-21. Auburn Riverside: Kasey Holand 2 aces, 13K, 4B; Calley Heilborn 15K, 19 digs; Lauren Smith 50 assts; Kiana Drumheller 29K, 13 digs; Clarice Buchanan 4 aces, 22 digs. Shorewood: Taryn Shelley 36 assts, 6 digs; Joely Shepherd 12K, 9 digs; Elli Allen-Hatch 7K; Delaney Hopen 6 aces, 15K, 19 digs; Maria Bartel 16 digs..
3A fifth-sixth
HOLY NAMES ACADEMY 3, LAKESIDE 1
Set scores: Holy Names 23-25, 25-15, 25-21, 25-21. Holy Names: Angelou Dunton 16K, 10 digs; Vanya Webber 7K; Delaney Harrison 5K, 1B; Anna Hartz 5 aces, 27 digs; Kelsey Wall 5K, 2B; Maeva Osemene 18 assts, 7 digs; Gaby Demick 12 assts, 5 digs. Lakeside: Stats not reported.
3A seventh-eighth
AUBURN MOUNTAINVIEW 3, BISHOP BLANCHET 0
Set scores: Auburn Mountainview 25-18, 25-18, 25-20. Auburn Mountainview: Kiley Lewis 24K, 3B, 3 digs; Casey Davenport 3 aces, 27 assts, 6 digs; Lauren Friis 7 digs; Ali Davenport 2 aces, 2K, 3B, 5 digs. Bishop Blanchet: Beatriz Cuevas 2 aces, 4 digs; Julia Leon 5K, 5B; Amanda Derr 10 digs; Katie Merrywell 3K, 3B; Evan Larson 4K; Allison Fiorini 5K.
3A semifinals
COLUMBIA RIVER 3, SHOREWOOD 0
Set scores: Columbia River 25-23, 26-24, 25-18. Shorewood: Delaney Hopen 9K, 11 digs; Elli Allen-Hatch 10K, 8 digs; Taryn Shelley 27 assts. Columbia River: Abby Wilmington 10K, 6B; Audrey Hawthorne 8 digs; Andrea Demlow 10K, 4 digs; Esti Wilson 4K, 14 digs; Evi Wilson 12K, 19 digs; Lily Freshwater 18 assts, 8 digs; Page Heller 18 assts, 5 digs; Lindsey Marshall 5B.
KENNEDY CATHOLIC 3, AUBURN RIVERSIDE 2
Set scores: Kennedy Catholic 29-19, 20-25, 25-18, 18-25, 15-10. Auburn Riverside: Kasey Holand 3B, 2 aces; Calley Heilborn 11K; Kaytlyn Heaslip 14 digs; Lauren Smith 33 assts, 3 aces; Anna Maracich 5B; Kiana Drumheller 15K; Clarice Buchanan 15 digs. Kennedy Catholic: Shayne McPherson 27K, 12 digs; Apryll Eneliko 4B, 21K, 8 digs; Malia Aleaga 54 assts, 12 digs; Julia Westhoff 18 digs, 3 aces.
3A consolation
HOLY NAMES ACADEMY 3, MT. SPOKANE 1
Set scores: Holy Names 23-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-20. Mt. Spokane: Kelly Brown 29 assts; Miahna Waters 11K, 26 digs; Adrienne Dotson 17 digs; Bailey Ricard 16K,; Megan Kandaker 17 digs; Kaitlyn Steltzoff 2B; Ryley Siclair 3B. Holy Names: Angelou Dunton 24K, 10 digs; Kelsey Wall 2K, 3B; Vanya Webber 8K, 1B; Delaney Harrison 5K, 3B; Anna Hartz 15 digs, 4 aces; Alycia Nguyen 8 digs; Maeva Osemene 30 assts, 4 aces, 6 digs.
BISHOP BLANCHET 3, EASTSIDE CATHOLIC 1
Set scores: Bishop Blanchet 25-17, 25-16, 27-29, 25-17. Bishop Blanchet: Sophie Sliger 5 aces, 19 assts, 4 digs; Julia Oishi 18 assts, 4 digs; Evan Larson 15K, 5B, 2 digs; Amanda Derr 17 diggs; Beatriz Cuevas 9K, 10 digs; Allison Fiorini 6K, 13 digs. Eastside Catholic: Kyana Harris 5K, 27 assts, 13 digs; Taylor Elop 9 digs; Anna Jacobsen 8K, 3B; Maddie McMaster 12K, 8 digs; Sidney Conger 10 digs; Gracie Jendrezak 5K, 4B; Vicki Reeves 2 aces, 6 digs.
AUBURN MOUNTAINVIEW 3, FERNDALE 1
Set scores: Auburn Mountainview 16-25, 26-24, 25-12, 26-24. Ferndale: No stats reported. Auburn Mountainview: Casey Davenport 7K, 42 assts, 3B, 2 digs; Ali Davenport 15K, 4 digs; Kiley Lewis 31K, 3B, 6 digs; Lauren Friis 6 digs; Izzy Pantoja 2K, 3B; Cassandra Chapman 6 digs.
LAKESIDE 3, MERCER ISLAND 0
Set scores: Lakeside 25-14, 25-19, 28-26. Lakeside: No stats reported. Mercer Island: No stats reported.
3A all-tournament team
Hitters: Shayne McPherson, Kennedy Catholic, Sr. (MVP); Apryll Eneliko, Kennedy Catholic, Sr.; Evi Wilson, Columbia River, Sr.; Angelou Dunton, Holy Names, Sr.; Kylie Lewis, Auburn Mountainview, Jr.; Calley Heilborn, Auburn Riverside, So. Setters: Paige Heller, Columbia River, Sr.; Taryn Shelley, Shorewood, Jr. Libero: Clarice Buchanan, Auburn Riverside, Jr.
Annie Fowler: 509-582-1574, @TCHIceQueen
This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 11:16 PM with the headline "Curtis, Kennedy Catholic wins state volleyball titles."