Sports - Local Colleges

POSTED: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL : WCC stumble versus Skagit; Storino makes all-tournament team

The Whatcom Community College volleyball team followed up a stellar Friday at the Skagit Crossover tournament by stumbling against Skagit Valley Community College in first-round action on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The Orcas ended up fifth overall after losing 3-2 to Skagit, a disappointing finish considering they beat Centralia, Wenatchee and Blue Mountain on Friday to finish as the top-seeded school headed into Saturday's elimination round. Skagit was lowest-seeded team in the elimination round.

Whatcom finished the tournament on a winning note, though, beating Lower Columbia Basin 2-0 in a best of three match.

"It was a pretty lousy finish for us," WCC coach Jeff McDonald said in a phone interview. "Not sure what went on. Little bit of a let down."

Still, there were highlights, including Friday's win over Blue Mountain, a team ranked No. 3 in the latest NWAACC poll. Whatcom was ranked No. 6 in the same poll.

The Orcas' Alex Storino, playing libero, also made the all-tournament team.

"Her passing and digging was just great all tournament," McDonald said.