The Columbia River Rapids, the three-time defending Class 2A state champions, return to the state volleyball event as a district champion after its three-set sweep of Ridgefield on Saturday at Woodland Excessive College.
River received the district-title match 25-17, 25-21, 25-13 after topping Mark Morris within the semifinals, 25-8, 25-13, 25-12.
Within the district title match, Sophia Gourley posted 20 kills and eight digs, Sydney Dreves added 15 digs and 11 kills and Avery Seley dished out 35 assists.
Additionally on the 2A district, Mark Morris outlasted rival R.A. Lengthy 3-2 to achieve state and Tumwater, the No. 1 seed, wanted a 3-0 sweep of Woodland to qualify for state.
La Heart wins 1A district
La Heart received its third straight 1A District 4 title, outlasting Trico-rival Stevenson in its first five-set match of the season at Fort Rock. The Wildcats received, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 18-25, 15-13.
Head coach Cymany O’Brien praised her staff’s composure within the prolonged match, particularly late when La Heart trailed 13-8 within the first-to-15 fifth and ultimate set. The Wildcats closed the set and match on a 7-0 run behind Paige Sherry’s seven straight service factors.
“I’m really proud of how we were able to focus, be in the moment and take it a point at a time those last seven points,” O’Brien mentioned. “Our seniors were composed, confident and gritty leading us down the stretch and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Esther Langeliers had 23 kills, Billie Ross added 17, Whitney Martell posted 11 blocks and Bailey Espana and Quinn Erickson mixed for 51 assists.
SETON CATHOLIC 3, KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 0 — Seton Catholic earned its first state berth in volleyball, downing rival King’s Manner Christian in straight units, 26-24, 25-19, 25-21.
Aly Ordona had 17 digs and 5 kills, Riley Seymer had six aces, Peyton LaPointe had 16 digs and 5 kills, and Kya Stromer had 15 assists.
Tatyana Fobi led King’s Manner with 21 assists and 12 digs.
KALAMA 3, MONTESANO 2 — The Chinooks are transferring on to the 1A state event after outlasting Montesano within the loser-out match 18-25, 25-14, 25-20, 24-26, 15-10.