The Firm Foundation volleyball team might not be the most vocal, but the Eagles have made plenty of noise on the court this season.
The small Battle Ground school completed an undefeated 1B Columbia Valley League season on Monday, beating Columbia Adventist 3-0. The set scores were 25-8, 25-6, 25-14.
Firm Foundation (15-1, 8-0) has won 15 straight matches. The team’s only loss came in its season opener against Class 1A King’s Way Christian, which is undefeated and leading the Trico League.
Eagles coach John Stevens said his team isn’t the most boisterous. But that’s just fine with his players and Katie Kogler, who leads Firm Foundation with 256 kills in 52 sets.
“Our girls go about their jobs more quietly than other teams,” Stevens said. They’re just focused on getting the job done. That’s Katie’s personality too. She’s a quiet leader.”
Last year’s team went 3-1 at the 1B state tournament in Yakima, placing fifth. Besides Kogler, the Eagles didn’t return any natural hitters for this season. But many of their top defenders were back.
Therefore, Stevens had his team play to their strengths.
“Basically just shifting out focus from offense to defense was a big focus in making us who we are,” Stevens said. “We work to make sure we don’t make mistakes. We’re about 93 percent accuracy on our serves.”
Firm Foundation begins district play on Nov. 5 against Mary M. Knight of Elma. The 1B state tournament is Nov. 14-15 in Yakima.
FIRM FOUNDATION 3, COLUMBIA ADVENTIST 0
25-8, 25-6, 25-14
Firm Foundation
Highlights — Beth Merritt 1 dig; Katie Clark 8 assists, 3 digs; Kaylee Horn 2 assists, 2 digs; Elsa Helmes 2 aces, 2 kills, 9 digs; Abbie Helmes 2 aces, 6 assists, 1 dig; Anna Huntsinger 3 kills; Katie Kogler 3 aces, 13 kills, 2 blocks, 7 digs; Lizzie Willett 1 ace, 1 kill, 4 digs; Hannah Matson 4 digs.
