DES MOINES — Quilcene is becoming a fixture at the Class 1B state tournament.
The Rangers have earned two consecutive state trophies, and Saturday earned their way back for a shot at a third.
Quilcene defeated Neah Bay 3-0 in the Tri-District tournament Saturday at Evergreen Lutheran to advance to the semifinals.
Because Quilcene placed second to Christian Faith at the SeaTac League tournament, it had to win a play-in game Thursday just to make it to Tri-Districts.
No big deal.
The Rangers swept Shoreline Christian 25-12, 25-10, 25-16 on Thursday in Quilcene.
That advanced the Rangers (16-2) to the double-elimination Tri-District tournament where they swept North Olympic League champion Neah Bay.
“[We] had excellent serving in this loser-out game, with a team average of 95 percent,” Quilcene coach Joni Crowell said of Thursday’s win.
Katie Love, Megan Weller and Bailey Kieffer had seven kills apiece, while Emily Hitt had four.
Love led the Rangers with a 19 of 19 performance from the service line and had two aces.
Weller went 10 of 11 serving with three aces, a block and nine digs.
Hitt had two aces and served a perfect 9 of 9.
“Our libero, Alex Johnsen, played tough defense, with 16 digs, and our setter, Allison Jones, had 21 assists,” Crowell said.
Johnsen also served 11 of 11 with two aces.
“Our coverage at the net was excellent, and we dug up several blocked hits, turning them into attacks,” Crowell said.
Neah Bay dropped to within one win of returning to state but also one loss away from elimination.
Sequim making run for state
TACOMA — The Wolves lost their District 2/3 opener to Franklin Pierce but then reeled off two straight wins to set up a winner-to-state game against Kingston later Saturday.
After falling to the tournament host Cardinals in three sets 25-19,25-23,25-16, Sequim responded by sweeping Sammamish 25-15,25-22,25-20, and then defeating Foster in four sets 25-10,25-27,25-14,25-16.
Cowboys, Bruins bow out early
The Chimacum and Clallam Bay volleyball teams both saw their seasons end in district play-in games.
The Cowboys were swept by Bellevue Christian 3-0 at home Thursday.
The Bruins, meanwhile, fell in four sets to Evergreen Lutheran 3-1 on Thursday.
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Compiled using team reports.
