PREP VOLLEYBALL: Lynden, Sehome ready for postseason

JOE SUNNEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

E-Mail

Print Reprint

Text Size:

tool goes here

After graduating the majority of its starters from a team that finished third at the state tournament a season ago, the Lynden volleyball team started the year with modest goals.

First on the list was to reach the Class 2A Northwest District Tournament. Also on the list was to exceed the expectations that others might have had for a program featuring several new starters and a new coach.

When the Lions meet Lakewood on Wednesday, Nov. 4 in the opening round of the district tournament at Lakewood High School at 4 p.m. they can start working on their new goal of reaching the Class 2A state tournament.

"Something we've wanted to do this season is rise up above what we expected of ourselves," Lynden coach Angie Dallas said in a phone interview. "I think we showed that by winning a share of the Northwest Conference title."

Lynden is one of two teams from Whatcom County and four from the NWC gunning for one of four spots to the state tournament in Kennewick on Nov. 13-14. Sehome opens with Archbishop Murphy also at Lakewood High School. Anacortes meets South Whidbey and Burlington-Edison plays Granite Falls in the first round at Squalicum High School.

The championship semifinals and the first round of the consolation bracket will be played 30 minutes after the first matches are over. The championship match is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at Lakewood High School.

"Really all we can do is control what happens on our side of the net," Dallas said. "We're focused on us and playing the best that we can. Something we've been working on and what we would like to do against Lakewood is start strong. I think we've done that our last few matches and that's been big for this team."

While playing significant minutes in the postseason will be new for most of the players on the Lions' roster, Dallas isn't too worried about it. Most of the team experienced state play as a reserve in either volleyball or basketball last season and they've all been tested this year. She said playing two of the top ranked teams in the state in Lynden Christian and Burlington-Edison during the regular season has also helped prepare them for district and beyond.

"I think they've all felt that nervousness that comes with playing big matches already this season against teams like Burlington-Edison and Lynden Christian," Dallas said. "We've played tough teams. I think that's something we can build on."

The toughest task of the tournament, at least in the opening round, might belong to Sehome. The Mariners draw an Archbishop Murphy team whose only loss this season came against defending Class 1A state champion King's. Win that match and Sehome draws either Lynden or Lakewood. Lose, and it's one rough match away from elimination. Playing quality opponents is what the district tournament is all about though.

Sehome is looking for its first trip to state since 2006 while the Lions are hoping to make it four consecutive trips.

"You know when you get to this point you're going to play tough teams," Dallas said. "It gets really tough as you advance into the second round and the semifinals. That's just the way the draw goes. We have a tough district."

TOURNAMENT BREAKDOWN

CLASS 2A NORTHWEST DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

When: Nov. 4 through Nov. 7

Where: Squalicum High School and Lakewood High School

Format: Double elimination tournament

What's at stake: Top four teams receive invitations to the 2A state tournament

TODAY'S SCHEDULE

At Squalicum H.S.

- Anacortes vs. South Whidbey, 4 p.m.

- Granite Falls vs. Burlington-Edison, 4 p.m.

Championship semifinals

- Anacortes/South Whidbey winner vs. Granite Falls/Burlington-Edison winner, 30 minutes after games 1 and 2