LONGVIEW — The Port Angeles volleyball team made it to the semifinals in the Monarch Challenge 14-team tournament at Mark Morris High School this weekend while Sequim won a lower bracket championship.
The Roughriders went 2-1 in pool play, won their first match in the elimination round, then got knocked out in the semifinals by Anacortes.
“We had an opportunity to see and play against next-level volleyball and the girls were pumped,” said coach Jennifer Reynolds. “We are excited to hit the gym this week and add to our skill set.”
Sequim, meanwhile, got off to a slow start, losing all of its pool play games. However, the Wolves bounced back to go 3-0 in the lower bracket single elimination, winning the title of that bracket.
“In the end, we started playing better,” said Sequim coach Jennie Webber-Heilman. “We came away winners.”
The Riders won their first match against Castle Rock JV 2-0 (25-8, 25-16) and their second against WF West 2-0 (25-17, 26-24). Port Angeles ended pool play losing 2-0 to Mark Morris (25-10, 25-4).
In single elimination, the Riders came from behind to beat Kings Way 2-1 (20-25, 26-24, 15-12) and lost to Anacortes 2-0 (25-13, 25-13).
Libero Lily Halberg had a great tournament with 61 digs and 12 aces. Middle hitter Zoe Smithson had 33 kills, five stuff blocks and four aces. Outside hitter Kennedy Bruch had 22 kills, 23 digs and four aces. Setter Josephine Edgington had 59 assists and five aces.
Cindy Liang added 16 digs and Jayde Wold had 112 digs. Sam Robbins had eight kills and Ava Hairell had five kills.
Sequim lost to Anacortes 25-21, 25-7, lost to Castle Rock 25-11, 25-23 and lost to Washougal 25-17, 25-23.
However, in bracket play, the Wolves beat Mark Morris JV 25-12, 25-23, beat WF West 25-13, 25-18 and won the lower bracket title by beating Hockinson 25-16, 26-24.
Sequim also played an Olympic League match Thursday against Bremerton, winning 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 27-25).
Webber-Heilman said the third game was remarkable. Sequim at one point was down 22-10, but rallied to win the game in extra points. At one point in the rally, Lindsay Swanson served eight straight points.
“That’s the biggest comeback we’ve ever had,” Webber-Heilman said.
Kendall Hastings had seven kills, Malory Morey served 15-for-15, Allie Gale had 15 assists and 12 digs, Jordan Hegtvedt served 9-for-9, Swanson served 13-for-14 and Jolene Vaara had seven kills.
The Riders are at home at 6:15 p.m. today to play Bremerton. The Wolves host Kingston at 6:15 p.m. today.
Girls swimming
SEQUIM — The Sequim girls outpointed Kingston in a three-way meet held last week.
Sequim beat Kingston 99-44, while North Kitsap outscored the Wolves 103-62 in the Thursday meet.
The Wolves’ Mia Coffman won the 500 freestyle in 5:42.47. Hi’ilei Robinson took first overall in the 100 freestyle (1:03.53) and Lauren Sundin won the 100 backstroke (1:13.40). Coffman was second overall in the 200 freestyle (2:09.00) and Melanie Byrne was second in the 100 breaststroke in a time of 1:28.04.
