The Columbia River Rapids, the three-time defending Class 2A state champions, return to the state volleyball tournament as a district champion after its three-set sweep of Ridgefield on Saturday at Woodland High School.
River won the district-title match 25-17, 25-21, 25-13 after topping Mark Morris in the semifinals, 25-8, 25-13, 25-12.
In the district title match, Sophia Gourley posted 20 kills and eight digs, Sydney Dreves added 15 digs and 11 kills and Avery Seley dished out 35 assists.
Also at the 2A district, Mark Morris outlasted rival R.A. Long 3-2 to reach state and Tumwater, the No. 1 seed, needed a 3-0 sweep of Woodland to qualify for state.
La Center wins 1A district
La Center won its third straight 1A District 4 title, outlasting Trico-rival Stevenson in its first five-set match of the season at Castle Rock. The Wildcats won, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 18-25, 15-13.
Head coach Cymany O’Brien praised her team’s composure in the lengthy match, especially late when La Center trailed 13-8 in the first-to-15 fifth and final set. The Wildcats closed the set and match on a 7-0 run behind Paige Sherry’s seven straight service points.
“I’m really proud of how we were able to focus, be in the moment and take it a point at a time those last seven points,” O’Brien said. “Our seniors were composed, confident and gritty leading us down the stretch and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Esther Langeliers had 23 kills, Billie Ross added 17, Whitney Martell posted 11 blocks and Bailey Espana and Quinn Erickson combined for 51 assists.
SETON CATHOLIC 3, KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 0 — Seton Catholic earned its first state berth in volleyball, downing rival King’s Way Christian in straight sets, 26-24, 25-19, 25-21.
Aly Ordona had 17 digs and five kills, Riley Seymer had six aces, Peyton LaPointe had 16 digs and five kills, and Kya Stromer had 15 assists.
Tatyana Fobi led King’s Way with 21 assists and 12 digs.
KALAMA 3, MONTESANO 2 — The Chinooks are moving on to the 1A state tournament after outlasting Montesano in the loser-out match 18-25, 25-14, 25-20, 24-26, 15-10.
