CLASS 1A
Blaine and Mount Baker kicked off the 1A district tournament with a loser-out match, and it was won by the Borderites in three straight sets, 25-5, 25-12 and 25-18.
Blaine was led by the nine kills, seven digs and two aces by senior Teya Zaddack. Junior Brie Smith added 10 digs and six aces, while sophomore Carly Saunders had five kills.
The Mountaineers season came to an end, while the Borderites had to turn around and play top seeded Meridian.
Senior Emry Claeys’ 11 kills led the Trojans over Blaine, 25-15, 25-19 and 25-17. Junior Rylan Bernardy had a team-high five aces and sophomore Taya Benson had two blocks.
Nooksack Valley defeated Lynden Christian in the “2 vs. 3” matchup, as the Pioneers won 3-1 after the Lyncs took the first set 25-17, behind the dynamic play of senior Lainey Kimball who led her team with 26 kills, 32 digs and five aces.
The Lyncs were led by sophomore Ella Fritts who had 11 kills, 19 assists, seven digs and a block. Junior Malia Johnson also had 12 kills and 16 digs.
With these results, the district tournament will continue on Tuesday night at Meridian High School where the Trojans will face the Pioneers at 7:00 in the district championship match. In the consolation round, the Lyncs will face the Borderites in the same gym at 5:00. The loser of that match will be done for the season, and the winner will continue on and play the loser of the district championship match on Thursday at 7:00.
CLASS 2A
With more teams involved in this tournament, there was a little more action at various venues.
Bellingham began the tournament by defeating Sedro-Woolley in three straight sets, which advanced the Bayhawks forward to take on Burlington-Edison, while the season for the Cubs ended.
Squalicum then defeated Cedarcrest three sets to one which ended the Red Wolves’ season. The Storm advanced to take on the top-seeded Lions from Lynden.
After the play-in round it was Sehome that defeated Lakewood 25-13, 25-12 and 25-10. It was a huge defensive effort by the Mariners, as senior Ava Lehn totaled four blocks, while also contributing with five kills. Junior Maddie Behrends and Leah Lockwood combined for 13 kills, and seniors Audrey Aarstol and Molly Burfeind totaled 30 digs between them.
The Tigers got past the Bayhawks in three straight sets, which sent Bellingham into the consolation round, and it also set up a semi-final matchup between Burlington-Edison and Sehome on Tuesday night at 5:00 at Squalicum High School.
The Bayhawks will play at Lakewood on Tuesday night at 6:00 in a loser-out match.
Lynden also defeated Squalicum 25-10, 25-10 and 25-13, and the Lions were balanced in their attack with seniors Haylee Koetje and Ashley Shumate each slamming nine kills. Freshman Finley Parcher and sophomore Rian Stephen weren’t far behind with six kills each.
Lynden also totaled 59 digs in the three sets with senior Mya VanderYacht leading the way with 17 of them.
The win advanced the Lions into a semi-final match against Archbishop Murphy which will also take place on Tuesday night at Squalicum High School at 7:00.
The Storm are still alive in the tournament as well, and will travel to Anacortes High School on Tuesday night to face the Seahawks at 7:00.
Great article, Tyler!