TACOMA — Port Angeles lost a heartbreaking five-game set to White River in the loser-out first round at the 2A West Central District volleyball tournament Friday night.
The Roughriders fell 3-2, 24-26, 25-16, 23-25, 25-23, 17-15 at Franklin Pierce High School.
Every game except for the second were determined by a mere two points.
“I am so proud of the my team,” Port Angeles coach Christine Halberg said.
“They played their hearts out and never gave up in this match even when it was expected, even when everyone in the gym thought it was over.”
The Riders came roaring back in Game 5.
“In Game 5, the girls were down 6-12 and then continued to be down 8-14, game point for White River,” Halberg said.
“We sided out with a missed served by White River and with Madison [Hinrichs] serving, the girls rallied back 15-14.
“Unfortunately two hitting errors and a White River kill put the game out of reach for us.”
The Riders never gave up and were right there at the end, just missing a berth to the second round at districts.
“The entire match was amazing, and the girls played with great excitement and energy and intensity,” Halberg said.
“We came from behind many times. Persistence was our strength [Friday night]. We just ran out of time.
“We worked all week for this match, and it is heartbreaking to come so close and not take it.”
The youthful Riders have matured during the course of the season.
“The past few weeks the girls have grown in so many ways, and it’s hard to end our season when we are just getting started,” Halberg said.
“However, we did end the season on a great match, and I’m glad we can have the memory of our best game at the end.
“We will be back.”
Bailee Jones had a powerful match for the Riders at the net with 13 kills and nine blocks. She also was perfect in serving at 14 of 14, and she had three digs.
Brittany Norberg and Sarah Steinman also were strong at the net with eight kills each.
Steinman also had five blocks while Norberg added three blocks.
Norberg was perfect in serving by going 20 of 20, and she earned 15 digs, while Steinman had six digs in the match.
Kendra Harvey, meanwhile, earned 44 digs, and she had 45 serve-receive passes and served 9 of 9 with an assist.
Setter Holli Williams set 160 out of 163 sets with 21 assists. She also had 18 digs and served 15 of 16 with three kills and a block.
Hinrichs ended up with a team-high 28 digs, and she was 28 of 29 in serves with an ace.
Charlotte Vingo had five kills and two blocks for the Riders.
Port Angeles, the fifth-place team in the Olympic League, finished the year 5-10 overall and 4-4 in league.
Neah Bay 3,
Lopez 2
COUPEVILLE — The Red Devils advanced to the Tri-District tournament by beating the Lobos on Thursday in five games, 25-22, 18-25, 20-25, 25-23 and 15-10.
“It was a hard-fought win,” Neah Bay coach Rebecca Monette said.
“A total team effort. The girls are playing well.”
Sophomore mid-hitter Fay Chartraw was clutch for the Red Devils, tallying four of her eight kills in the decisive fifth game.
“She was a real spark for us,” Monette said.
Chartraw was 9 for 12 serving and contributed three blocks.
Junior setter Cierra Moss was a perfect 26 for 26 on serves, with five aces and two kills.
Vonte Aguirre served 17 for 18 with four aces and a block.
The Red Devils played in the Tri-District tournament Saturday along with Olympic League champion Crescent.
Girls Swimming
PA wins district
RENTON — For the first time in at least 10 years, the Roughriders captured the West Central District championship.
Port Angeles won four titles, two relay events and two individual championships, on the way to 177 team points and two meet records.
Sumner was second with 163 points while Fife took third with 159. Port Townsend wasn’t far behind in fourth with 143 while Sequim took 16th with 16 points.
The Port Angeles 200-yard medley relay set a meet record at 1 minute, 56.42 seconds with Ashlee Reid, Carter Juskevich, Tracie Macias and Audra Perrizo.
Also claiming first place with a meet record was Macias in the 100 backstroke in 1:01.26.
The Riders went 1-2 in the 100 back with Reid capturing second in 1:03.15.
Also taking first for the Riders were Reid in the 100 freestyle with a state qualifying time of 57.05 seconds and the 400 free relay in 3:52.63 with Juskevich, Brooke Sires, Reid and Macias.