BATTLE GROUND — Two teams with one goal: To make lots of noise in the state volleyball tournament.
So it was fitting that Battle Ground’s season opened with a bang.
Thursday, the Tigers swept a Ridgefield team that also has its sights set high. Battle Ground took the first set 25-17, won the second 25-18, then fended off a Spudder rally to win the third 25-21.
The Tigers return most of their key players from last year’s team, which finished third in the 4A state tournament. That was the best finish in the program’s history after it hadn’t qualified for 25 years.
“Last year it was ‘let’s go to state and see how we do,'” senior Brooke Van Sickle said. “Placing third, we really surprised ourselves. So this year, we’re determined to get first, no less than that.”
Van Sickle is a senior all-state selection and 4A Greater St. Helens League player of the year who has committed to the University of Oregon.
She underwent surgery in May to repair a torn meniscus in her left knee.
Though the spring in her jump hasn’t quite returned, Van Sickle had 14 kills, 15 assists and eight digs.
But Van Sickle isn’t carrying the team alone. Senior setter Ashley Watkins had 12 kills and 20 assists. Autumn Mayo added seven kills.
“I think this is a good baseline for us,” Battle Ground coach Cheyanne Knight said.
That comment was echoed by Ridgefield coach Sabrina Dobbs.
“We want to compete at our highest level the entire season,” she said. “Starting here against the team that got third in 4A last season is good to see where we’re at. I thought we did the best that we could today.”
Despite losing five seniors, Ridgefield is looking for a third consecutive trip to the Class 2A state tournament.
The Spudders were tested Thursday. They will be tested in early October when they will travel to Phoenix for the Nike Tournament of Champions, which gathers 80 teams from across the country.
Seven returning varsity players make up the core of Ridgefield’s team. Madi Harter, a returning first-team all-league middle blocker, had eight kills and five blocks Thursday. Outside hitter Serena Barley, setter Bella Gama and back-row specialist Maddy Campbell are also looking to mark the season on a high note.
Both Battle Ground and Ridgefield hope their seasons end in a crescendo. But with the first notes of the overture now on the sheet, both look forward to seeing where the melody leads.
