4A state volleyball: Battle Ground works late for semifinal spot

KENNEWICK – Better late than never? Battle Ground was better late than ever.

In a match that started an hour tardy and ended at 11:05 p.m. , the Tigers blew past Monroe 3-1 in the quarterfinals of the 4A state volleyball tournament.

After dropping the first set 25-23, the Tigers dominated the following three sets to hand No. 7-ranked Monroe its first loss of the season.

No. 3 Battle Ground (20-1) will face No. 2 Curtis (21-2) in the semifinals Saturday at 1 p.m. The winner will face either No. 1 West Valley of Yakima or unranked Emerald Ridge in the final.

“I’m so happy that we finally started to play like this, especially at state,” junior Hana Wyles said. “We just all came together and played as a team. That’s all you can hope for.”

After Battle Ground lost a nip-and-tuck first set, the Tigers built early leads to win the following sets 25-13, 25-10 and 25-17

Brooke Van Sickle, who signed with Oregon on Wednesday, had 18 kills, 16 assists and 9 digs. Montana signee Ashley Watkins had 15 kills, 16 assists and nine digs.

Earlier Friday, a Battle Ground team with high hopes could not have hoped for a better start. The Tigers showed all their stripes in a first-round sweep of Eisenhower of Yakima. The set scores were 25-21, 25-18 and 25-15.

Battle Ground’s well-rounded performance showed why a first state volleyball title is the team’s goal. The Tigers made quick work of the No. 5 Cadets.

Van Sickle led the way with 16 kills, 13 assists, five aces and 10 digs.

Watkins added 12 kills and 21 assists. Autumn Mayo had seven kills as the Tigers spread their attacks among several players.

Battle Ground had a hiccup in the first set, when Eisenhower rattled off nine straight points to take a 16-12 lead. But the Tigers responded by ending the set on a 13-5 run.

“It all has to do with mental toughness,” Wyles said. “Obviously they got a few points off us. But if you can stay tough enough to keep pushing points, especially when you’re up, then you can push to the end and win.”

BATTLE GROUND 3, MONROE 1

23-25, 25-13, 25-10, 25-17

Battle Ground

Highlights – Brooke Van Sickle 18 kills, 16 assists, 9 digs, 3 aces; Ashley Watkins 15 kills, 16 assists, 3 blocks, 9 digs; Autumn Mayo 6 kills 3 blocks, 10 digs; Hana Wyles 1 ace, 22 digs.

BATTLE GROUND 3, EISENHOWER 0

25-21, 25-18, 25-15

Battle Ground

Highlights – Brooke Van Sickle 5 aces, 16 kills, 13 assists, 2 blocks, 10 digs; Ashley Watkins 12 kills, 21 assists; Autumn Mayo 7 kills, 5 digs; Nattalie Baiar 2 aces, 4 kills, 3 blocks, 9 digs; Hana Wyles 12 digs.