Kentwood split its matches at the West Central District 4A volleyball tournament Nov. 5 and Saturday, but punched its ticket to the state tournament.
In the first match Kentwood started the tournament with a dominating performance in a three game sweep over Emerald Ridge, 25-15, 25-12, 25-15.
But Kentwood was swept in the second match by eventual district champion Olympia.
At noon on Saturday the Conquerors had their last shot to earn a state berth and did just that with another three game victory, this time putting away the Ravens of Auburn Riverside, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21.
Junior setter Kacie Seims attributed her team’s success at the district tournament to aggressive play.
“We really kept our heads up,” Seims said. “Everyone came to play. Everyone showed up and it was really fun.”
Seims isn’t sure how things will play out for the Conquerors at the 4A State Championships at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, but, she said she knows the team will work on “staying strong, even if we’re down a few points.”
“It’s hard to say because no one knows what’s going to happen there,” she said. “It really is exciting for us because even in the midst of a ton of doubt we pulled through and made our goal.”
Kentwood had to settle for the eighth seed out of the district when Curtis beat them 3-1 (21-25, 21-25, 25-18, 16-25) in a rematch of the No. 2 seeds from the South Puget Sound League tournament contest which the Conquerors also lost to the Vikings 3-1.
This will be Kentwood’s seventh straight trip to the state volleyball tournament, but, the team isn’t taking the opportunity for granted explained coach Bil Caillier.
“The older girls, well, they don’t know what it’s like not to go to state,” Caillier said. “For that they are grateful because this opportunity is not automatic. Feeling the gratification of making it to the state tournament is a bonus and we are lucky to enjoy it.”
Kentwood takes on Mead from Spokane in the first round at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday after the Reporter’s press deadline.
Meanwhile, Tahoma played well but just couldn’t finish as the team was bounced on the first day at the district tournament.
Kent-Meridian came back against Tahoma in the first match after being down 2-1 to win 3-2 (25-27, 25-20, 22-25, 25-17, 15-3).
In the second match Tahoma had a chance to stay alive if it could put together a victory over Skyview, which had been knocked off by Stadium just 20 minutes earlier, but the Storm put the Bears away 3-1 (25-22, 25-27, 26-24, 25-21).
Coach Sally Eager knew her Tahoma squad couldn’t hope to play the role of Cinderella like it did last year but she had high expectations.
“We played well, we just didn’t play great,” Eager said. “At districts you have to play great. We had a great season. I’m just disappointed we didn’t come out with a win (at districts).”
