Ridgefield volleyball rolls into 2A semifinals

ELLENSBURG – The tournament venue had changed, but at least one thing remained the same.

Ridgefield volleyball kept rolling.

Moving the 2A state volleyball tournament from Lacey to Central Washington University did not throw off the Spudders, who won twice Friday in their quest to repeat as state champions.

Ridgefield (19-0) swept River Ridge of Lacey, then won a hard-fought four-set match over Lynden. That sets up a semifinal match Saturday against Washington of Tacoma.

Ridgefield has lost just once in the past two seasons, a span of 41 matches. Only twice before Friday have teams lasted more than three sets against the Spudders.

In the quarterfinals, the top-ranked Spudders faced their toughest challenge against No. 4 Lynden.

Ridgefield rebounded from losing the first set 25-23 to take the second set 25-15. After trailing in the both the third and fourth sets, the Spudders rallied to win each 25-22.

“As a team we looked at what values we really want to focus on,” junior Allie Andrew said. “We want to focus on faceless opponents. That’s going into every game, no matter what the team, and playing our game. … That’s how we’re able to compete against so many different teams at this high level.”

Star outside hitter Delaney Nicoll had 21 kills. But Andrew, a 6-foot-4 middle blocker added 18 kills.

That multi-threat attack was too much to overcome for Lynden (16-3).

“Every time she was up there I told our setters, ‘set Allie’ because I knew she was going to get us a kill,” Nicoll said.

Ridgefield was all business in its first-round win over River Ridge (9-10). The celebrations after set victories of 25-15, 25-16, 25-18 were enthusiastic, but had the air of a team that’s been here before and has higher goals.

“This is where it counts,” Nicoll said. “This game really matters to us. We went out there and wanted it so bad. That’s how we came through.”

River rebounds from early loss

The 2A state tournament didn’t start the way Columbia River would have liked, but the Chieftains rebounded in the consolation round to keep their trophy hopes alive.

Columbia River (18-5) dropped their first-round match to White River in four sets. After taking the first set 25-20, the Chieftains lost the next three 25-20, 25-21 and 25-22.

There wasn’t any despair when Columbia River returned to the court in the afternoon. The Chieftains swept Cheney 25-17, 25-13, 25-18 to advance in the consolation bracket.

“Getting over the last game, we can’t change it now because it’s over,” said junior Emma Adams, who had 64 digs in two matches Friday. “We’re now just pushing forward.”

River can secure a spot in the seventh-place match if it gets past North Kitsap at 9 a.m. Saturday.

“We’re going to do as well as we can and place as high as we can,” senior Isabella Ness said.

RIDGEFIELD 3, RIVER RIDGE 0

25-15, 25-16, 25-18

Ridgefield

Highlights – Delaney Nicoll 12 kills, 5 digs, 1 ace, 2 blocks; Emelia Stepaniuk 11 digs, 1 ace; Kohana Fukuchi 23 assists, 7 digs, 2 kills, 1 ace; Allie Andrew 8 kills, 1 block, 1 dig; Emily Borgstedt 6 kills, 2 blocks; Emily Vossenkuhl 6 kills, 8 blocks, 1 dig.

RIDGEFIELD 3, LYNDEN 1

25-23, 25-15, 25-22, 25-22

Ridgefield

Highlights – Delaney Nicoll 21 kills, 2 block, 9 digs; Allie Andrew 18 kills, 4 blocks, 1 ace; Kohana Fukuchi 1 ace, 3 kills, 26 assists, 11 digs; Emilea Stepaniuk 9 digs; Emily Borgstedt 8 kills, 1 block; Emily Vossenkuhl 4 kills, 5 blocks; Morgan Harter 26 assists, 3 blocks, 14 digs.

WHITE RIVER 3, COLUMBIA RIVER 1

20-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22

Columbia River

Highlights – Emma Adams 38 digs; Sydney Waite 21 digs; Rylie Reeves 12 kills, 15 digs; Alison Dreves 12 kills, 15 digs; Ryley Zanas 23 digs; Caroline Hansen 18 assists.

COLUMBIA RIVER 3, CHENEY 0

25-17, 25-13, 25-18

Columbia River

Highlights – Emma Adams 26 digs; Riley Reeves 14 kills, 20 digs, 7 aces; Maddie Sheron 8 kills; Alison Dreves 6 kills; Riley Zanas 15 assists; Caroline Hansen 10 assists.