Richland finishes state volleyball tournament with 1-2 record
The Richland Bombers looked refreshed and ready for action Saturday morning.
A win over Auburn Mountainview would land them in the trophy round of the Class 4A state volleyball tournament at Toyota Center for the first time since 2012.
Richland’s 25-21 win in the first set put the Bombers in the driver’s seat, but not for long.
The Lions’ 6-foot-2 Kiley Lewis, who had just five kills in the first set, became a one-woman wrecking machine the rest of the match, leading AM to a 21-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-19 win over the Bombers.
“We couldn’t handle her,” Richland coach Bob Raidl said. “When they were in trouble and needed a point, she got them a point. She is very good.”
Lewis, who has committed to Boise State, finished with 35 kills — 10 in the fourth set — to put the Lions (20-6) in the fifth/sixth-place match against Bothell, which defeated defending state champion Curtis in three sets.
“They are excited,” AM coach Telia McDonald said of her team. “We were seventh at 3A last year, and are excited to be competing with the best. We had a tough match last night (against Auburn Riverside), but if you are pouting and feeling sorry for yourself, you can’t win.”
With Richland holding a slim 19-18 lead in the first set, Lindsay Rosenthal opened up the game for the Bombers (18-4) with a string of four points for a 23-19 advantage. Lexi Lacey laid down a kill to finish the set.
Aliyah Fashaw and Casey Davenport had big serving runs for the Lions in the second set, and they had an 18-12 lead before Richland picked up a point.
Lewis, who also is a strong server, reeled off three points for a 22-13 lead. Richland scraped together a few points, but it couldn’t catch the Lions.
With the teams tied at 2 in the third set, Davenport ripped off seven consecutive points for a 9-2 lead. The Bombers would later pull to within 14-9 and 19-4, but they could not stop Lewis or find consistency in their offense.
“We knew it was going to end today, but that doesn’t take anything away from our season,” Raidl said. “We had fun, and I’m proud of them.”
Richland went 1-2 at the tournament, opening with a win over Graham-Kapowsin on Friday before being swept by Bellarmine Prep.
Rosenthal and Sarah Howlett led the Bombers with eight kills each, while Kamry Breard added seven kills and 18 assists, and Savannah Haynie four kills and four blocks.
Davenport handed out 47 assists for AM, while April Talaiga had six kills.
Set scores: Auburn Mountainview 21-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-19. Richland: Kamry Breard 7K, 5 digs, 18 assts; Jordanne Bauder 6 digs, 17 assts; Lainie Lacey 20 digs; Eliana Muccio 17 digs; Lindsay Rosenthal 8K; Sarah Howlett 8K, Lexi Lacey 4K; Savannah Haynie 4K, 4B; Madelaine Haynie 4K. Auburn Mountainview: Kiley Lewis 35K, 3 digs, 2 aces; April Talaiga 6K, 3 digs; Casey Davenport 47 assts, 5 digs; Lauren Friis 6 digs, 5 assts.
This story was originally published November 12, 2016 at 2:25 PM with the headline "Richland finishes state volleyball tournament with 1-2 record."