TACOMA — Port Angeles and Sequim are in a four-team battle for the 2A West Central District’s fifth spot in the state tournament.
And after beating Evergreen in five sets at the district tournament at Franklin Pierce High School on Friday, the Roughriders fell into the consolation bracket with a 3-1 loss to Sumner on Saturday.
Sequim earned an opening-round bye at the district tournament, but fell to Fife in five sets on Saturday.
The Wolves play White River, while Port Angeles battles Franklin Pierce. The winners of those two matches will face off for the district’s last state berth.
Port Angeles won Friday’s back-and-forth five-set match with Evergreen 25-15, 23-25, 25-13, 22-25, 15-10.
“We played very strong and consistent in the sets we won,” Riders coach Christine Halberg said.
“In the sets we lost, we struggled controlling the ball, making too many unforced errors.”
Port Angeles won the opening set thanks to strong serving streaks from seniors Sarah Steinman and Maddy Hinrichs, Steinman earning nine points and Hinrichs five.
Steinman’s serving was again crucial in the third set, as she went on a seven-point run that gave the Riders a quick 12-3 lead.
Hinrichs and Emily Johnson contributed three-point serving runs that helped stretch the lead.
“In game five, we played consistently and scrappy defense that kept us ahead and fueled our energy,” Halberg said.
“I’m proud of the girls for keeping their focus and goals in front of them after the sets they lost. After their losing set, they came back strong with a lot of energy and excitement.”
Steinman finished the match serving 27 for 29 with two aces. She also contributed 15 digs and five kills.
Hinrichs served 17/19 with an ace, and had 17 digs and 10 kills.
Holli Williams had 35 assists, 25 digs and was a perfect 12 for 12 serving.
Kendra Harvey finished with a team-high 32 digs, and served 16/17.
Other stats: Bailee Jones 11 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs; Brittany Norberg 8 kills, served 5/7 with 1 ace, 6 digs; Emily Johnson 18 digs, 1 kill.
1B Tri-District tournament
Quilcene eliminates Crescent
QUILCENE — The Rangers and Loggers met for the third time this season, and for the third time, Quilcene won.
This time, the North Olympic Peninsula teams met in the consolation bracket of the 1B Tri-District tournament at Mount Vernon Christian High School on Saturday, and this time, the loss ended the Loggers’ season.
Crescent lost its first game of the day to Rainier Christian 3-1 before being swept in three sets by the Rangers.
Quilcene fell to host Mount Vernon Christian 3-0 on Saturday.
The Rangers will play Grace Academy for the Tri-District’s fifth and final state berth.
Quilcene advanced to Saturday’s action by winning its Tri-District play-in game over Providence Classical Christian in four sets 25-15, 25-14, 20-25, 25-16.
“[We] played very hard tonight and worked together as a team,” Quilcene coach Joni Crowell said of Thursday’s match.
Sophomore Alex Johnson made many key saves that kept the Rangers in some longer rallies.
Freshman Katie Bailey was 25 of 26 serving with eight aces and 11 digs.
Megan Weller served 19/22 with three aces, six kills and five digs.
Kiani Clissold finished with six aces on 14/17 serving, and had seven kills and three digs.
Allison Jones had 24 assists, eight digs and was 9/9 serving.
Sammy Rae notched a team-high 12 kills to go along with six digs and two blocks, while Bailey Kieffer was 11/12 serving with two kills.
The girls showed improvement on covering and getting the ball out of the net,” Crowell said.
“Our serve-receive was excellent tonight and really helped keep us in system.
“Making good decisions is a top priority, and I am seeing smarter and smarter volleyball out of the [team].”
