YAKIMA – Playing their last high school volleyball match, La Center’s seniors weren’t primarily focused on winning.
Making one last memory. Enjoying each other’s camaraderie and support.
That was the focus as La Center finished its season at the Class 1A state volleyball tournament Saturday at the Yakima Valley SunDome.
The Wildcats (21-3) lost a hard-fought five-set match to Cedar Park Christian just hours after falling in four sets to Cascade Christian in the semifinals.
But fourth place brought no tears or regrets.
“We wanted to leave here satisfied,” senior captain Aristyn Wiseman said. “I think we’re pretty satisfied.”
Fellow captain Billie Ross said no matter the result Saturday, this year’s five seniors were going to walk off the court smiling.
“We wanted to have a positive attitude,” Ross said. “We might not have been playing the best, but we were lifting each other the whole way through.”
There’s plenty of reason for those seniors to take pride. Their four consecutive trips to the state tournament is a program record.
After placing eighth as sophomores and third last year, winning three consecutive state trophies is the first time La Center has done that in three decades.
Wildcats coach Cymany O’Brien played on those Don Johnson-coached teams, which placed third, first and third from 1993 to 1995.
O’Brien said the senior class, which also includes Leah Dye, Mia Achziger and Esther Langeliers have elevated the program to its highest point in her 11 years of coaching.
“They have set a standard for leadership. The way they take care of everybody on the team. Even at practice, making sure all the things are done and ready to go.”
O’Brien said it was no surprise to hear her players prioritized aspects beyond winning in their final match.
“For them to say that, I’m not surprised in the least,” O’Brien said. “This season has been all about being in the moment and supporting each other.”
La Center’s hopes of joining the 1994 team as state champions were dashed in a 3-1 semifinal loss to No. 2 seed Cascade Christian of Puyallup.
After winning the first set 25-19, the Wildcats dropped the next three 25-17, 25-22, and 25-21. Often they had no answer for the Cougars’ 6-foot-2 outside hitter Layne Dent, a St. Mary’s commit.
Langelier had a team-high 18 kills and Ross added 14 kills and three aces.
Ross shined in the third-place match, which La Center lost 25-21, 21-25, 25-18, 21-25 and 15-11. She had 12 kills, 16 digs, nine blocks and three aces.
Two other Trico teams fell one match short of earning a state trophy. Stevenson lost in three sets to Cashmere while Seton Cathlolic fell in three sets to Meridian.
