DEMING - The Meridian, Blaine and Mount Baker volleyball teams competed in the Mount Baker Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 20, at Mount Baker High School.

The 12 teams competing were placed into three pots of four teams and played each team in its pot once.

"I was very proud of how we played today; we were the only Whatcom County team in the gold bracket," Blaine coach Sheli Moore said. "We won some matches this morning and are finally getting it together. They had a lot of energy today."

Blaine finished the highest of the Whatcom County teams and was placed in the gold bracket where they had the chance to finish as high as first.

"Malie Laolagi did well in the middle for us and Elle Moore did really well in the outside playing the ball in for us," Moore said. "We lost that last game because of unforced errors."

Blaine lost to Bellevue Christian and ended up finishing tied for fifth place.

Meridian lost their first game of the silver bracket to Riverside Christian and finished tied for 11th place.

"We started out well but as the day went on we lost focus," Meridian coach Shannon Claeys said. "There were some good highlights for us though. We just need to realize that when we're tired that's when we need to focus mentally more and fight for every point."

Meridian was led by Sydney Wasilewski with 25 kills and 14 digs for the day and Ashley Veenstra with 18 digs.

Riverside Christian advanced to play Mount Baker in the semifinals of the silver bracket.

Mount Baker lost and finished in 10th place.

"It didn't go the way we wanted," Mount Baker coach Mary LeSage said. "We didn't play to our potential. We have the skill we need for success, but sometimes we lack the effort and confidence."

Emily Yost played as setter for the Mountaineers.

"As far as effort and heart go, Emily never gives less than her best," LeSage said. "Taylor Leger played really well too. Her game is really coming together and her defense was much better than it has ever been."