Prep Volleyball Roundup: Local teams on the outs after first day of state tournament

Montesano, Willapa Valley seasons end early in respective state playoffs

By Ryan Sparks • November 12, 2022 9:00 pm
PHOTO BY ERIC TRENT Montesano’s Ashlyn Devereaux (3) spikes against Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls during a loser-out match in the 1A State Volleyball Tournament at the Yakima Valley SunDome on Friday.
PHOTO BY ERIC TRENT Montesano’s Ashlyn Devereaux (3) spikes against Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls during a loser-out match in the 1A State Volleyball Tournament at the Yakima Valley SunDome on Friday.

The Montesano Bulldogs and Willapa Valley Vikings volleyball teams bowed out of their respective state-volleyball tournaments earlier than hoped.

Here’s a look at how the local Twin Harbor teams fared at the WIAA State Volleyball Tournament.

Montesano’s season ends after two-straight losses to open state tournament

The Montesano Bulldogs dropped its first two games of the 1A State Tournament on Friday at the SunDome in Yakima, bringing an end to their season.

Monte (13-10 overall) entered the tournament as the No. 15 seed and lost in straight sets — 25-13, 25-14 and 25-9 — to No. 2 Annie Wright to open the tournament Friday afternoon.

In an elimination game Friday evening, Monte took a 2-0 lead against No. 10 Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls), but dropped the next three sets to suffer the season-ending loss.

PHOTO BY ERIC TRENT Montesano’s Maia Young (11) throws up her hands in celebration after the Bulldogs score against Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls in the consolation bracket of the 1A State Volleyball Tournament in Yakima on Friday.

PHOTO BY ERIC TRENT Montesano’s Maia Young (11) throws up her hands in celebration after the Bulldogs score against Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls in the consolation bracket of the 1A State Volleyball Tournament in Yakima on Friday.

The Bulldogs lost 29-27, 25-18, 18-25, 23-25 and 6-15.

“It was a great battle,” Montesano head coach Pat Pace said of the match. “Unfortunately, we took the loss.”

Pace acknowledged seniors Ashlynn Devereaux, Addie Winter, Clara Benton, Jordan Karr, Jillian Thomas, Maia Young and McKynnlie Dalan for finishing their prep volleyball careers “on a high note by playing in the state tournament.”

Willapa Valley out after first-round loss

Willapa Valley’s run in the 1B State Volleyball Tournament at the Yakima Valley SunDome was short-lived, suffering a 3-2 loss to No. 18 Grace Academy in an elimination game on Thursday.

The No. 15 Vikings (15-8) had to win to advance in the tournament and face No. 2 Mossyrock, but Willapa Valley fell behind after losses in the first two sets by scores of 25-10 and 25-21.

Willapa Valley found its energy to win the next two sets 25-17, and 25-20, but lacked what Vikings head coach Karisa Hodel dubbed the “oomph” to complete the comeback.

“We struggled in the first two sets trying to find our energy,” Hodel said, explaining that an illness had run through the team immediately after the conclusion of the district tournament on Nov. 5. “I am very proud of them for battling though their sickness and never giving up.”

Willapa Valley was led by senior outside hitter Lauryn McGough (21 kills, 4 aces, 19 digs), senior middle blocker Grace Huber (14 kills, 15 digs, 4 aces) and sophomore setter Sam Sheary (4 aces).

PHOTO BY ERIC TRENT Willapa Valley’s Lauryn McGough (11) spikes the ball during a loser-out match against Grace Academy at the 1B State Volleyball Tournament at the Yakima Valley SunDome on Thursday. The Vikings lost the match 3-2.

PHOTO BY ERIC TRENT Willapa Valley’s Lauryn McGough (11) spikes the ball during a loser-out match against Grace Academy at the 1B State Volleyball Tournament at the Yakima Valley SunDome on Thursday. The Vikings lost the match 3-2.