Bellingham, Squalicum volleyball teams both lose chance at state
Bellingham volleyball won 3-1 against Squalicum but then lost 3-2 to Anacortes in the decisive third-place match for state in the Class 2A Northwest District Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Shorecrest High School.
Bellingham lost to Squalicum in their opening match of the season and it was wonderful to redeem themselves of that loss, Bellingham coach Jessica King said in a phone interview. It was then great to see Squalicum stay for the game against Anacortes and support Bellingham’s players.
The first two went to Anacortes and King said she thought it was over for Bellingham, but then the team came back to push the match to five, losing in the last game because of the missed serve, King said.
“We thought that was it but we crawled back and the girls held onto everything they had,” she said. “I honestly thought we were going to win it.”
Summer Douglas led in the game against Anacortes with 19 kills. Brittany Western followed with 10 kills, Olivia Ferguson had eight and Jocelyn Johnson earned seven. Sophia Lawrence had 25 digs and Cassidy Fulton earned 48 assists.
Douglas and Lawrence, Bellingham’s team captains, both had great years leading the team, King said. On and off the court they could be counted on to keep the team focused.
Saturday’s loss wraps up King’s first year coaching for Bellingham and it has been a success, she says.
“It’s all about learning each other and being able to trust each other,” King said. “We definitely figured it out.”
Squalicum’s coach Joe Amaral also finished up his first year as the Storm coach with the game against Bellingham and it was a rewarding way to end the season, he said.
“It was a very good match,” he said. “Both teams played very well and I am so proud of my team. We had the opportunities. We just didn’t cash in when we had the chance, it was a good loss.”
As his first year with Squalicum, the goal was to get to districts, Amaral said. Then, when the team had made it that far, the next goal was to not just go but do some damage.
“We were playing hot, playing our best ball and as a first-year coach I am really happy with my team,” he said. “What I wanted from the beginning was to raise that expectation and we took a step in the right direction.”
Bellingham 3, Squalicum 1
Game scores: 25-17, 20-25, 25-13, 25-17.
Kills leaders — (Bellingham) Summer Douglas - 11, Olivia Ferguson - 10, Cassie McFall - 7. (Squalicum) Emma Schroeder - 18. Blocks leaders — (Squalicum) Moriah Nixson - 3. Digs leaders — (Bellingham) Sophia Lawrence - 22. (Squalicum) Alyssa Dickerson - 20. Assists — (Squalicum) Rachael Campbell - 32.
Anacortes 3, Bellingham 2
Game scores: 11-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-20, 10-15.
Kills leaders — (Bellingham) Summer Douglas - 19, Brittany Western - 10, Olivia Ferguson - 8, Joceyln Johnson - 7. Digs leaders — (Bellingham) Sophia Lawrence - 25. Assists — (Bellingham) Cassidy Fulton - 48.
This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 8:02 PM with the headline "Bellingham, Squalicum volleyball teams both lose chance at state."