With two consecutive wins on Saturday, November 5, at South Whidbey High School, the Sehome volleyball team earned third place out of the Class 2A District Tournament and a trip to the state tournament.
The Mariners defeated Lynden 25-21, 22-25, 25-14, 25-16 in the second round of consolation before beating Archbishop Murphy 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-16 in the winner take third, loser fourth of the district tournament.
"Man is it great," Sehome coach Kristy White said in a phone interview. "I am really proud of my girls."
Kendra Thomas led the Mariners with 27 digs, while Alicia Ford had 11 kills and Megan Johnson had 12 kills and six service aces in the third place match.
It was the second time Sehome beat Archbishop Murphy in the district tournament. It won 3-2 its opening match against the Wildcats to advance to the second round. The Mariners were sent to the consolation bracket after being swept by Anacortes.
It set up a match against another Northwest Conference opponent, Lynden in its first match Saturday. Sehome defeated the Lions 3-1 in their only match against each other during the regular season and matched that performance in the district tournament.
"The first tiem we palyed them this season was the first tiem we beat then in five years," White said. "We came in to that one determined to beat them again and prove it was not a fluke."
Sehome edged the Lions in the first set, winning by four points, but Lynden bounced back with a 25-22 victory the second set.
That was as close as the match would get, however, as the Mariners cruised to an 11-point victory in the third set, followed by a nine-point win to end Lynden's season.
"Everyone just wanted to get to state," White said. "They overcame whatever nerves they had. It was great volleyball."
Kendra Thomas led the Mariners with 17 digs and Taylor Lyall added 10 kills.
It set up a rematch against Archbishop Murphy. Both teams guaranteed themselves a state tournament appearance, but the battle was for the No. 3 or 4 seed out of the district.
The Mariners only trouble came again in the second set, losing 25-22, but they commanded every other set to take the victory and earn the No. 3 seed.
Each of the top three seeds in the district came from the Northwest Conference. The No. 1 seed is Burlington-Edison, which defeated Anacortes 3-1 in the district championship match. Anacortes earned the second seed.
The first round of the state tournament starts Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Evergreen State College.
Lynden finished its season 11-6 overall and 10-3 in the Northwest Conference.
