3A state volleyball: River surfs into semifinals

KENNEWICK – There are waves on this River. And the Chieftains are riding them to the state volleyball semifinals.

When Columbia River gets rolling, it can wash over the state’s best teams. Friday, the Chieftains scored in bunches to beat Prairie and Lakeside of Seattle at the 3A state tournament in Kennewick.

Senior outside hitter Andrea Demlow likened it to an emotional wave. A well-struck spike will cause spikes in the team’s pace and enthusiasm.

“We tend to push the tempo as fast as we can,” Demlow said. “But we also cheer as much and as enthusiastically as we can. I think a lot of people who don’t play volleyball don’t necessarily understand that. But it’s a huge part of the game.”

River’s energy was a huge factor in a 3-1 quarterfinal win over Lakeside. With the match tied 1-1, River scored eight straight points to turn an 11-8 deficit into a 16-11 lead. The Chieftains would win that set 25-19.

River then used an early 8-1 run to take charge of the fourth set, which it won 25-20.

The Chieftains, ranked No. 1 in the 3A state coaches poll, will face No. 6 Shorewood in Saturday’s semifinals at 1 p.m.

“It’s unreal,” Demlow said. “The season went by so fast and we’ve come such a long way. All year our goal has been state, state, state. It’s finally here and we’re executing what we came here to do. It’s an awesome feeling.”

Three-time 3A Greater St. Helens League MVP Evi Wilson finished the quarterfinal match with 14 kills and 16 digs, but she didn’t do it alone. Abby Wilmington added 13 kills and Demlow had 10 kills and nine digs. Esti Wilson had six kills and 16 digs.

One year after placing third, Columbia River (15-1) knows what to expect at the state tournament.

It also helps when the first opponent is a familiar foe. River opened with a 3-0 win over Greater St. Helens League rival Prairie, which it had already faced twice this season. The set scores Friday were 25-20, 25-13 and 25-17.

“We knew what to expect because we’ve played them before,” senior setter Page Heller said. “I think that helped us, knowing what our opponent does.”

After trailing in the first set 14-12, the Chieftains scored nine consecutive points.

River scored seven straight points midway through the second set to take control of that set and the match. Evi Wilson finished with 20 kills and 14 digs. Twin sister Esti Wilson had four aces, eight kills and eight digs. Heller had eight kills and 15 digs.

Columbia River is ranked atop the 3A state coaches poll largely because of its win in at the bi-district tournament last weekend. The Chieftains beat No. 2-ranked Kennedy Catholic, which will face Auburn Riverside in Saturday’s other semifinal.

“That was really important for us,” Heller said. “The win really helped us coming into state. It gave us a lot of confidence and we got to know some of our biggest rivals like Kennedy Catholic. They’re a great team and we might be seeing them in the championship if we make it there.”

For Prairie, Zoe McBride had seven kills and four blocks. Aryah Marlow had eight kills and Nina Bailey had four kills and 14 digs.

“It’s weird that we traveled four hours to face someone who is like 10 minutes away,” Bailey said. “But we didn’t let that get to us. We came out and fought. They just came out on top.”

Prairie (10-11) bowed out of the tournament with a 3-1 consolation round loss to Ferndale. After winning the first set 25-23, the Falcons dropped the next three 26-24, 25-17 and 25-23.

Bailey had 9 kills and 19 digs while Huong Nguyen added nine kills and nine digs.

“We have a really young team, so this will give them experience for next year,” said Bailey, one of three seniors on Prairie. “We may not look like a really good volleyball team, but you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Never give up on your teammates.”

COLUMBIA RIVER 3, LAKESIDE 1

25-15, 19-25, 25-19, 25-20

Columbia River

Highlights – Abby Willmington 13 kills, 2 blocks; Evi Wilson 14 kills, 16 digs; Page Heller 3 aces, 4 kills, 22 assists, 11 digs; Andrea Demlow 10 kills, 9 digs; Esti Wilson 6 kills, 2 blocks, 16 digs; Lily Freshwater 2 aces, 15 assists, 7 digs; Audrey Hawthorne 7 digs.

COLUMBIA RIVER 3, PRAIRIE 0

25-20, 25-13, 25-17

Prairie

Highlights – Zoe McBride 7 kills, 4 blocks;  Aryah Marlow 8 kills; Megan Hess 22 assists, 8 digs; Nina Bailey 4 kills. 2 blocks, 14 digs; Tessa Doerfler 11 digs; Huong Nguyen 4 kills, 2 aces.

Columbia River

Highlights – Evi Wilson 20 kills, 14 digs; Esti Wilson 4 aces, 8 kills, 2 blocks, 8 digs; Page Heller 2 aces, 8 kills, 15 digs; Lily Freshwater 2 aces, 8 digs; Allison Frank 2 aces, 8 digs; Abby Wilmington 6 kills; Audrey Hawthorne 5 digs; Andrea Demlow 7 kills, 3 blocks, 1 dig; Lindsay Marshall, 3 kills, 3 digs.

FERNDALE 3, PRAIRIE 1

23-25, 26-24, 25-17, 25-23

Prairie

Highlights – Huong Nguyen 9 kills, 9 digs, 2 blocks; Nina Bailey 9 kills, 19 digs; Aryah Menlow 7 kills, 3 digs; Jac Phillips 3 kills, 2 blocks, 3 digs; Megan Hess 2 aces, 32 assists, 11 digs.