TACOMA — The Port Angeles volleyball team’s run in the playoffs ended with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-19) loss against league rival North Kitsap on Saturday in the West Central District III 2A District tournament.
On Thursday, the Riders lost to Orting, sending them to the consolation bracket. Orting won 3-0 (25-6, 25-17, 25-20).
In the Orting match, Emi Halberg, Ava Brenkman and Sam Robbins each led the Riders with four kills each, while Brenkman had two blocks. Libero Lily Halberg had nine digs and served 7 for 7 with an ace. Setter Camille Stensgard had 11 assists.
Despite the two-and-out trip to the district tournament, it was Port Angeles’ first trip to the postseason since 2013. The Riders had a remarkable turnaround this season from a 1-28 record in 2017-18, finishing with a record of 7-11 this season and finishing fourth in the Olympic League 2A Division.
The Riders only graduate two seniors from this year’s team — McKenzie Musalek and Marie Burns, so most of the team will be back.
North Kitsap, which was undefeated in the Olympic League 2A Division, was upset by White River in the first round of the district tournament, sending the Vikings into the consolation bracket.
Other teams
The Neah Bay (13-5 overall) volleyball team qualified for the state 1B tournament by finishing second in the 1B Tri-District Volleyball tournament.
The Red Devils beat Quilcene 3-2 on Tuesday, then beat Mount Vernon Christian 3-2 on Thursday to qualify for state and move on to the district championship match. On Thursday night, the Red Devils lost to Puget Sound Adventist 3-2 in the championship match.
Meanwhile, Quilcene lost to Grace Academy 3-1, falling one match short of qualifying for state. Clallam Bay lost 3-0 to Providence Classical Christian on Tuesday to be eliminated from the tournament. Quilcene finishes the season with an 11-7 record and Callam Bay 9-6.
The state 1B volleyball tournament begin Thursday at the Yakima SunDome.
Forks, meanwhile, was eliminated in its first-round match in the Southwest District 4 1A Tournament 3-0 against Castle Rock in a loser-out match. Forks ends its season with a 10-6 record.
