Firm Foundation places 7th at 1B state volleyball

The Firm Foundation volleyball team finished 3-1 at the 1B state tournament for the second year in a row and left the Yakima SunDome with the seventh-place trophy on Friday.

The Eagles beat Providence Classical Christian of Bothell 3-0 in the trophy match. Scores were 25-19, 25-15, 25-20.

“Three-and-one is a good way to go at state,” coach John Stevens said. “The girls stayed poised and got the W in the end.”

The Eagles were also 3-1 at state last year and placed fifth. It was their third consecutive trip to state.

The only difference in 2019 was a first-round loss on Thursday that put the Eagles into the consolation bracket earlier than in 2018.

Junior Katie Kogler had 27 kills, eight blocks and 13 digs against Providence Classical. Freshman Elsa Helmes had 18 digs and 11 kills, and her sister Abbie Helmes, a junior, had 21 assists and 11 digs.

Firm Foundation stayed alive with a 3-1 win over Nasalle on Friday morning. Scores were 25-15, 25-22, 21-25, 25-21.

Nasalle had swept Firm Foundation 3-0 in the district semifinals in Tumwater last week.

Kogler had 17 kills, five blocks and 15 digs, Elsa Helmes had 12 digs, and Abbie Helmes had 16 assists.

Through it all, Stevens said they key for his squad was not losing composure.

“When we got behind a few points, the girls don’t panic,” he said. “They just go after the next point and the next point. They never crumbled.”

FIRM FOUNDATION 3, NASALLE 1

25-15, 25-22, 21-25, 25-21

Firm Foundation

Highlights — Beth Merritt 4 digs; Katie Clarke 6 assists; Kaylee Horn 2 digs; Elsa Helmes 2 aces, 6 kills, 3 blocks, 12 digs; Abbie Helmes 16 assists, 6 digs; Katie Kogler 17 kills, 5 blocks, 15 digs; Lizzy Willett 2 aces, 3 digs; Hannah Matson 10 digs.

FIRM FOUNDATION 3, PROVIDENCE CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN 0

25-19, 25-15, 25-20

Firm Foundation

Highlights — Beth Merritt 7 digs; Katie Clarke 14 assists; Kaylee Horn 1 ace, 5 digs; Elsa Helmes 2 aces, 11 kills, 18 digs; Abbie Helmes 21 assists, 11 digs; Katie Kogler 27 kills, 8 blocks, 13 digs; Lizzy Willett 3 aces, 2 digs; Hannah Matson 11 digs.