Kamiakin’s big hitters lead Braves into 3A state volleyball

You could almost see a little trail of smoke coming off the court after Allison Stapleton blasted the volleyball across the net and through the Shadle Park defense.

The 6-foot-2 Kamiakin outside hitter victimized the Highlanders to the tune of 13 kills Saturday in the District 5-8 regional tournament.

Stapleton is the finesse part of a trio of big-hitting juniors for the Braves. Middle Leanna Shymanski and outside hitter Madison Judy bring the power.

“When you get an awesome kill, it is a great feeling,” Stapleton said. “We are really hyped up. If we can carry that into the the next play, we get better and better.”

The Braves will need the trio to be at its best this weekend at the Class 3A state volleyball tournament at Toyota Center. Kamiakin (15-8) opens against Mercer Island (20-3) at 9:45 a.m. Friday.

“Going to state for the second year in a row with Morgan (Schauble) as coach, we can take it to the next level,” Shymanski said. “We all have a lot of respect for her and what she’s done for the program.”

Schauble, in her first year as head coach, inherited a wealth of talent from long-time coach Mary Opitz, who stepped down after last season.

“I like the experience they had,” Schauble said. “We moved Ali from middle to the outside, and Leanna learned a lot playing behind Andrea (Stapleton) last year. Everyone has their different strengths, and we use that accordingly. We have six players on the court, and each one is as important as the other. We play for each other.”

Stapleton and the 5-11 Shymanski are in the same rotation at the net. Shymanski’s blocking complements Stapleton’s hitting. When they rotate to the back row, the 5-10 Judy goes beast mode on opponents.

“We feed off the momentum in that rotation,” Shymanski said. “When you get a stuff block, that is a huge momentum swing for our team. Blocking is not a contact sport, but when you block it back in their face or it hits the floor, I love that. Then when I turn around and see the team supporting me and the bench cheering us on, that means a lot.”

Judy said said she doesn’t mind working her rotation without Stapleton and Shymanski.

“I work better under pressure, so being up there on my own is OK,” Judy said.

Judy led the Braves with 204 kills, while Stapleton added 184 kills and 25 blocks, and Shymanski 139 and a team-high 50 blocks.

“Madi and I are opposite, and we can tell each other what is happening on the other side,” Stapleton said. “It’s really helpful.”

When Judy is in the back row, she likes watching Stapleton work her magic.

“When she gets a kill, I love it,” Judy said. “I’m glad she’s on our side of the court.”

Southridge coach John Lengphounpraseut, whose team faced the Braves three times this season, said one thing the Braves have in their favor this weekend is height — something many of the teams in the Mid-Columbia Conference lacked this season.

“I think their height will be to their advantage,” Lengphounpraseut said. “State is an uphill battle, but if you can take care of the first match, that’s what you need to move forward. Those three are going to be key for Kamiakin. Stapleton and Shymanski will make a major impact for them.”

The three amigos have played volleyball together since the seventh grade at Desert Hills Middle School, along with setter Ashley Fullmer, which also plays a big part in the success they have had.

“We know each other and trust each other to get the job done,” Stapleton said.

Having the state tournament just a few blocks from Kamiakin High School will be a bonus for the Braves this weekend, who have a loyal and supportive student body — and they won’t have to travel.

“We are pretty stoked about having a huge student section,” Judy said. “Kamiakin has tremendous support in every sport.”

3A notes

Mercer Island, led by senior Jemma Yeadon, won the state title in 2013 and was fifth last year. ... Last year’s champion, Auburn Riverside (27-3), will open at 8 a.m. against Eastside Catholic. ... Mt. Spokane (19-11), the District 5-8 regional champion, will open at 8 a.m. against Bishop Blanchet. ... Columbia River, No. 1 in the latest coaches poll, plays Prairie at 9:45 a.m. The Chieftains, led by three-time Greater St. Helens League MVP Evi Wilson, placed third last year.

4A notes

Battle Ground, led by NCAA Division-I signees outside hitter Brooke Van Sickle (Oregon) and setter Ashley Watkins (Montana), were third last year. The third-ranked Tigers, who have just one loss, will play Eisenhowser at 1:30 p.m. The fifth-ranked Cadets (21-5) are making their third consecutive state appearance. Four of Eisenhower’s five losses are to top-ranked West Valley (27-0), which will open against University. The Rams are led by junior outside hitter Jillian Berg, the CBBN MVP. ... Three-time defending champion Bellermine Prep is on the court at 11:30 a.m. against Jackson. The Lions, who saw veteran coach Judy DeGroot step down last season after 13 years, are back in the thick of things under Caroline Meines. The Lions are coming off a four-set loss to Curtis in the West Central District tournament.

2A notes

The Othello Huskies open play at 9 a.m. against Archbishop Murphy at St. Martin’s University in Lacey. ... Defending state champion Tumwater, making its fourth consecutive trip to state, takes on Franklin Pierce at 1 p.m.

1A notes

Columbia-Burbank (12-5) opens play at 1:30 p.m. against Cascade Christian at the Yakima SunDome. The Coyotes are in the same half of the bracket at defending state champ Lynden Christian (15-2). The Lyncs open defense of their title against Montesano (17-1) at 1:30 p.m. ... Kiona Benton, led by SCAC East MVP Momo Calzadillas, will take the court at 11:30 a.m. against Cascade (Leavenworth).

2B Notes

Tri-Cities Prep earned its second trip to state in program history (first was 2013). The Jaguars will play at 8 a.m. against Friday Harbor at the Yakima SunDome. The Wolverines qualified for state for the first time since 1997. ... Two-time defending champion Colfax will open at 9:45 a.m. against Wahkiakum.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 8:16 PM with the headline "Kamiakin’s big hitters lead Braves into 3A state volleyball."