The Clark College volleyball season came to a sudden end Saturday, one win short of a shot at the NWAC championship.
The Penguins entered Saturday at Tacoma in the winner’s bracket semifinal but lost to South region champion Chemeketa 3-1, and then after a strong start in the loser’s bracket semifinal match against North champion Bellevue, lost 2-1.
Just like that, it was over.
However, Clark didn’t leave the Tacoma Convention Center empty handed as they took home the third-place trophy.
Chemeketa swept the Penguins in the regular season and again held off Clark 25-17, 22-25, 25-19, 25-19.
Olivia White, a Skyview High grad, and Dalaney Tuholski, a Heritage grad, both had 12 kills in the match. Tuholski also had 15 digs. Mary Schorn had 26 digs, Olivia Jacoshenk had 25 assists.
Clark got off to a huge start against Bellevue, winning the first set 25-9. The second set was close until Bellevue rattled off six consecutive points for 19-14 lead and Clark never got the lead back.
In the deciding game of the best-of-three match, Clark had an 11-9 lead and didn’t score again. Bellevue scored the next six points to win 15-9 and end the Penguins’ season at 34-7 overall.
It was Bellevue’s fourth win in a row on the day.
Tuholski had nine kills and 12 digs, Schorn had 14 digs, and Jacoshenk had 11 assists.
Chemeketa and Bellevue will play at 2 p.m. Sunday for the title. If Bellevue wins, a second game will follow as the tournament is double elimination.
Prior to the title match, the NWAC Sophomore All-Star Event takes place.
Also of note, Tuholski was named first-team Southern Region, and Allyson Crisp was second team.
