11/13/25
The State 2B Volleyball Tournament concluded Thursday night at the Yakima SunDome. Our coverage includes re-caps of all 26 matches played over the 2-day event. Below are all the re-cap stories beginning with the State Championship and working back to the opening matches at 8am on Wednesday morning.
Links of Note
Link to Eli Sports Live Broadcast page
Link to WIAA for Fan information
Link to WIAA official bracket
All stories written by Sandy Ringer
Thursday, November 13
Trophy Round
State Championship
2B Championship Recap Story
Believe, baby!
Because the Northwest Christian Crusaders finally did, especially when none of the outsiders believed in them.
And now they are champions of the Class 2B state volleyball tournament for the first time in school history.
Northwest Christian, which came in seeded No. 8, knocked off No. 2 Freeman in four sets Thursday night at the Yakima SunDome – 25-22, 19-25, 29-27, 25-13.
“No one thought we were going to come in and win,” said senior Kaitlyn Waters, who was chosen as the match MVP from among a bevy of deserving players. “We were the eighth seed and hadn’t been here (since 2019). We just all played as a family and really focused on giving God all the credit.”
Waters was one of three Northwest Chistian players who reached double digits in kills with 14. Fellow senior Macey Shamblin had 13 and freshman Poly German pounded a team-high 15.
While the Crusaders (22-2) had never won a state title, coach Dave Whitehead has. He guided Mount Spokane to back-to-back 3A championships in 2018 and ’19, which led to his induction into the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
He retired in 2020, but was drawn to the position at Northwest Christian, which is in Colbert – a Spokane suburb – and about five minutes from his house.
Whitehead, now in his fifth season, said getting his players to believe in themselves was one of three keys to building another successful program. He wanted them to learn to love the game – enough to play some club volleyball – and learn how to finish matches. Last year, for instance, the team finished one win shy of qualifying.
“They needed to get involved and love the game,” he said. “If they don’t love the game, they’re not going to be here. They need to be there and want to be there.
“These guys have been great. They’re fun to coach.”
Waters and Getman helped Northwest Christian with the 2B state basketball championship last winter, with Getman getting named tournament MVP.
Getman had not played any organized sports until arriving at the school as a freshman. She said some of that success carried over, and playing as though they had nothing to lose was key as well.
“We were the underdog, so we talked about how the pressure wasn’t on us and that we would just have so much fun and enjoy our last match together,” she said.
Boy, did they.
Freeman, on the other hand, seemed tight early. The Scotties (20-3) had a definite thirst for first place after coming tantalizingly close the previous two seasons.
They were second to Tekoa-Oakesdale in the 2023 1A tournament and had title aspirations here at the 2B level a year ago. Those were dashed by Manson in the semifinals, 3-1, and the Scotties had to settle for third place then watch Manson go on to win it all.
This tournament was going to be different. The Scotties took down Manson 3-0 in the semifinals – their third consecutive sweep.
But that streak ended quickly in the title match as Northwest Christian came out red hot, bolting to leads of 5-0 and 7-2. The Crusaders were up 24-18 before Freeman fought back to trim the gap to two. Waters ended the drama with a dynamite kill.
The second set was tight early on, but the Scotties used an 8-1 spurt to take a 20-10 advantage. Logan Pecht delivered six kills in that span. It was 22-14 before Northwest Christian closed it to 22-18. Berglund the Scotties to match point and they quickly sealed the deal to even things up.
Freeman was in front for much of the third set and had leads of 19-15 and 21-18. Of course, Northwest Christian rallied again and suddenly it was 23-all. Both teams fought off set points until the Crusaders won it on a rare Freeman miscue.
Northwest Christian went up 11-5 in the fourth set before Greta Van Gemert hammered a trio of kills. The Scotties still had hope trailing 14-9 – but the Crusaders rattled off seven unanswered points. Junior Charlice Carey served five straight in that run and Waters ultimately delivered the match-winning spike.
Gemert wound up with a match-high 17 kills to close out her prep career. Pecht, an impressive 6-foot-3 junior, had 11. Avery Berglund, another 11th-grader, checked in with 10.
3rd-4th places
Game 25: #4 Lind-Ritzville-Sprague 3, #6 Mason 2
18-25, 25-13, 25-18, 23-25, 15-6
Defense did the trick for the Broncos in the fifth set as they were able to finally finish off the Trojans and claim third place. It’s the first trophy for this co-op, although Lind-Ritzville has history (including titles in 2002 and ’03).
Seniors Zoe and Saige Galbreath rightfully shared MVP honors while sparking the victory, which lifted the Broncos’ final record to 20-4.
Manson, which wore back-to-back crowns in 2023 and ’24, settles for fourth place and a 19-8 mark. It’s the school’s fifth consecutive trophy. The Trojans were third in 2021 and ’22.
Junior setter Kailani Cruz got Manson off to a good start, handing out a variety of assists in the opening set, and senior Phinley Teague fueled a comeback in the fourth.
But the Broncos had the final say.
5th-6th places
Game 24: #4 Toutle Lake 3, #3 Tonasket 2
13-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 17-15
Clearly, both clubs were determined to close out their seasons with a victory.
Unfortunately, only one could and it would be Toutle Lake.
Senior Kendal Dean ended the marathon with a well-placed spike.
Tonasket enjoyed a 2-1 advantage after the Fighting Ducks allowed a late lead to slip away.
But Dean dug deep in the fourth and fifth sets to cement her MVP status,
Lainey Dean, another senior, also played well in her final match as Toutle Lake upped its record to 20-4.
For the Tigers (21-4), seniors Karsyn and Paityn Thrasher performed well along with junior Evelyn Sheller.
7th-8th places
Game 23: #13 Davenport 3, #15 River View 0
25-12, 25-21, 25-16
They didn’t start the tournament the way they had hoped.
But the Gorillas certainly finished with a flurry.
After stumbling in Wednesday’s opening round against Toutle Lake, the best they could do was battle back for seventh place. And that’s exactly what they did with three final victories to up their record to 16-7.
Senior Naomi Rainwater wrapped up her high-school career with the game MVP as she powered the offense
River View of Kennewick (17-7) had a decent lead in the second set before Davenport battled back.
Link to WIAA State Volleyball Matches on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
2B State Volleyball
The stage is set for the Class 2B State Volleyball championship Thursday at the Yakima SunDome.
Second-seeded Freeman (20-2) faces No. 8 Northwest Christian of Colbert (21-2) at 5:30 p.m.
Freeman swept No. 6 Manson, the two-time defending champion in one semifinal, 3-0, while Northwest Christian topped No. 5 Lind-Ritzville-Sprague, 3-1.
Manson (18-7) plays Lind-Ritzville-Sprague (18-4) in Thursday’s top consolation match at 2 p.m. The winner winds up third and the loser fourth.
Semifinals
Game 21: #2 Freeman 3, #6 Manson 0
25-15, 25-19, 25-21
MVP Avery Berglund, a 6-foot-2 junior, led a balanced attack that allowed the Scotties to avenge last year’s semifinal loss to the Trojans.
Freshman setter Finley Pecht played like a veteran, spreading the wealth to Bergland, Logan Pecht, Greta Van Gemert and Kellynn Beach.
Van Gemert and Logan Pecht had the big swings in the opening set, then Berglund heated up in the second.
Manson got outstanding defensive play from senior libero Isabella Wisdom.
Freeman, third last year, seeks its first title since going back-to-back in 1980 (2B) and ’81 (1A). The Scotties placed second in 2023 (1A), 2002 (1A) and 1978 (2B).
Game 22: #8 Northwest Christian 3, #5 Lind-Ritzville-Sprague 1
20-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-21
After falling short in the opening set, the Crusaders pulled together and claimed the contentious final three,
Kaitlyn Waters, a 5-foot-6 senior, proved to be the difference on offense and defense and as tabbed MVP.
Lind-Ritzville-Sprague rode the strong serving of senior Saige Galbreath in that first set.
Northwest Christian is shooting for its first state title. The Crusaders were second to La Conner in the 2019 2B tourney.
2B Consolation Round (Winner to Trophy Round, loser out)
Game 17: #15 River View 3, #14 Toledo 2
26-28, 15-25, 25-21, 25-19, 15-10
Resiliency was the key for River View after falling behind 0-2.
The Panthers pushed back behind a barrage of kills Elleanna Murillo, a 5-10 junior who stood out as the game MVP. Sophomore setter Bree Stacy showed off her pinpoint passing to orchestrate the offense.
River View (17-6) now plays No. 13 Davenport (15-7) for seventh and eighth places Thursday at noon.
Both have won two straight after opening-round losses.
Toledo (18-7) falls just shy of the trophy stage, but should be back next season with a young roster that includes just one senior – libero Emily Feigenbaum. Freshman setter Sidney Kruger and sophomore Ellie Fallon had impressive finales.
Game 18: #13 Davenport 3, #9 Tri-Cities Prep 2
25-15, 25-13, 21-25, 23-25, 15-7
Senior Naomi Rainwater stepped up to prevent the victory from slipping away and give the Gorillas an opportunity to duplicate last year’s seventh-place finish.
She and junior libero Tatum Hupp both stood out early as they sprinted to a 2-0 lead. Then Prep’s Grace Baerlocher turned the tide and suddenly it was 2-2 before the Gorillas regained control.
Davenport (15-7) faces No. 15 River View (17-6) at noon Thursday to close out the season.
Tri-Cities Prep (19-5) appears to be another strong candidate to return next year as Baerlocher and setter Lucy Comfort are the team’s lone seniors.
Game 19: #3 Tonasket 3, #7 Onalaska 1
21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-20
Their title aspirations ended with Wednesday’s quarterfinal loss to Manson, but the Tigers made sure they won’t go home empty handed.
Karsyn Thrasher, one of five seniors on the squad, keyed the victory to earn the MVP nod.
Tonasket (21-3) takes on No. 4 Toutle Lake (-) at noon Thursday with the fifth-place trophy on the line. The loser winds up sixth.
Onalaska (15-6) was perhaps the youngest team in the SunDome. Not only is Renzy Marshall the lone senior, 10 players are sophomores or younger – including four in eighth grade.
Game 20: #4 Toutle Lake 3, #1 Rainier 1
25-20, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16
Familiarity worked in Toutle Lake’s favor as the two rivals squared off for fourth and final time of the season.
Rainier had run away with a 3-0 victory just the week before to mount a late 8-0 run that vaulted the Mountaineers to the No. 1 seed. That streak was started after a 3-2 loss to the Fighting Ducks and Rainier had a 2-1 advantage on the season.
Toutle Lake senior Lainey Dean said not this time. She powered her team to the 2-0 lead and helped seal the victory in the fourth set to draw MVP status.
Sophomore Matelyn Ranta threw up a block party to help the Fighting Ducks clinch a trophy. Senior setter Kendal Dean was a major factor as well.
The Fighting Ducks (19-4) face No. 3 Tonasket (21-3) Thursday at noon to determine fifth and sixth places.
Rainier, which took fifth a year ago, ends the season at 17-6, but loses just three seniors and should be determined to make another run next fall.
Link to WIAA State Volleyball Matches on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
______________________________________________
Wednesday, November 12
Quarterfinal Bracket
Game 13: #6 Mason 3, #3 Tonasket 0
25-19, 25-19, 25-16
This is the one that counted.
After losing two out of three matches earlier to Tonasket – the two most recent clashes, the Trojans played with fire and were backed by a fierce crowd.
Senior Isabella Wisdom, the game MVP, played fabulous defense. Junior setter Kailani Cruz spread out the assists with Phinley Teauge, Bailey Evans and Katie Coltman the biggest beneficiaries.
Manson (18-6), seeking a third consecutive championship, now meets No. 2 Freeman (19-2) in the semifinals Thursday at 10 a.m. The Trojans beat Freeman in last year’s semis, 3-1.
Tonasket (20-3) needs to bounce back against No. 7 Onalaska (15-5) Thursday at 8 a.m. in consolation play. The loser is eliminated, while the winner gets to play for fifth and sixth places.
Game 14: #2 Freeman 3, #7 Onalaska 0
25-12, 25-9, 25-16
The Scotties return to the semifinals for a second straight season with their sights set on the big prize.
They fell to eventual-champ Manson last year and wound up third.
The five seniors on this roster know it’s their final shot and played like it Wednesday.
Libero Avery Boswell, one of those upper-classmen, was the clear leader on the floor and came away with the MVP. Fellow seniors Kellynn Beach and Greta Van Gemert had big nights as well, along with juniors Logan Pecht and Avery Berglund.
Freeman (19-2) gets a semifinal rematch with No. 6 Manson (18-6) Thursday at 10 a.m.
Onalaska (15-5), an extremely young squad with just one senior, has an 8 a.m. consolation match against No. 3 Tonasket (20-3). The winner then plays for fifth and sixth places (the loser is out).
Game 15: #5 Lind-Ritzville-Sprague 3, #4 Toutle Lake 1
25-12, 20-25, 25-10, 25-18
Senior Saige Galbreath sparked the Broncos’ run to the semifinals, their second appearance there in three years. They reached the championship match in 2023 before losing to Manson.
Galbreath garnered the MVP nod, but had a strong supporting cast led by fellow senior Hannah Towne.
Toutle Lake’s surge in the second set tied things at 1-1, but the Broncos decisively won the third and closed it out in four.
Lind-Ritzville-Sprague (18-3) meets No. 8 Northwest Christian (20-2) Thursday at 10 a.m. after the Crusaders upset top-seeded Rainier.
Toutle Lake (18-4) faces a very familiar Rainier (17-5) at 8 a.m. Thursday with the loser going home and the winner getting a trophy (fifth or sixth). It will be the fourth time the two rivals have squared off this year. Rainier has won two of three, including the district championship match last Saturday.
Game 16: #8 Northwest Christian 3, #1 Rainier 2
26-28, 26-24, 23-25, 25-18, 15-13
The Crusaders probably don’t consider it an upset. Coming into the tournament with a 19-2 record, they likely felt a bit under-seeded.
It sure appears that way.
The Colbert squad gets to the semifinals for the fifth time in their 14th state appearance and are still seeking their first title.
As the scores indicate, this one was an epic battle. Northwest Christian erased a five-point deficit to take thee second set, then Rainier came from 10 down to win the third and take a 2-1 lead. The Crusaders pulled away in the fourth set to even the match and the fifth set went back and forth.
Senior Kaitlyn Waters drew MVP accolades. Rainier senior Liberty Adair was everywhere defensively.
Northwest Christian (21-2) squares off with No. 5 Lind-Ritzville-Sprague Thursday at 10 a.m.
Rainier (17-5), which nine-match win-streak snapped, plays a win-or-go-home consolation match with No. 4 Toutle Lake (18-4) Thursday at 8 a.m.
Consolation Bracket (Loser Out matches)
Game 9: #14 Toledo 3, # 11 La Conner 0
25-20, 25-21, 25-22
After falling to No. 3 Tonasket to start the day, the Riverhawks (18-6) made sure they’d live to play another day.
They take on No. 15 Riverview (16-6) Thursday with a chance at a trophy. The winner gets a shot at seventh place, while the loser falls leaves empty-handed.
Sophomore Ellie Fallon smashed seven kills enroute to her game MVP honor against the Braves.
La Conner closes out the season at 14-8.
Game 10: #15 Riverview 3, #10 Mount Vernon Christian 1
25-13, 24-26, 25-19, 25-23
Riverview isn’t ready to go home yet.
The Panthers (16-6) survived one loser-out match and face another Thursday at 8 a.m. against No. 14 Toledo (18-5). The winner is assured of a trophy (seventh or eighth).
Senior Danika Koch had her fingerprints all over this one and was the MVP choice.
Mount Vernon Christian ends the year 13-9.
Game 11: #13 Davenport 3, #12 Kittitas 0
25-16, 25-17, 25-19
The Gorillas (14-7) kept their trophy hopes alive with a convincing sweep, led by senior Naomi Rainwater, a 5-10 OH/DS who shined as the game MVP. Sophomore Chloe Hammond was also in strong consideration.
They play No. 9 Tri-Cities Prep (20-4) at 8 a.m. Thursday in another loser-out match. The winner of that one will then play for seventh and eighth places.
Kittitas finishes the season 18-4 after starting 18-0. Senior Gilena Provaznik showed some punch at the net in her final prep outing.
Game 12: #9 Tri-Cities Prep 3, #16 Orcas Island 0
25-23, 25-13, 25-12
After getting a scare in the first set, the Jaguars stiffened up and completed the sweep decisively.
Senior Grace Baerlocher was a force at the net and came away with MVP honors. Sophomore Caroline Koskinen was also a key contributor.
Orcas Island (10-13) fought off one match point, but ultimately had its season come to a close after a late surge to qualify.
Tri-Cities Prep (20-4) will be back in the SunDome Thursday for an 8 a.m. showdown with No. 13 Davenport. It’s another loser-out situation, but the winner is guaranteed a trophy (seventh or eighth place).
State Opening Round
Game 1: #6 Manson 3, #11 La Conner 0
25-11, 25-10, 25-16
Manson is the two-time defending champion and looked the part in the straight-sets victory.
Senior Philey Teague and junior Bailey Evans shared the game MVP honors with strong play at the net. Freshman Katie Coltman hammered her share of kills as well.
The Trojans (17-6) face a tall quarterfinal task against third-seeded Tonasket (20-2) Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. The two squared off twice over the past 12 days with the Tigers prevailing 3-2 both times.
La Conner (14-7) falls into the consolation bracket and plays No. 14 Toledo (17-6) Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. The loser goes home.
Game 2: #3 Tonasket 3, #14 Toledo 1
25-16, 23-25, 25-16, 25-13
The underdog Riverhawks didn’t go down quietly.
They had hope after taking the second set to pull even with the Tigers. But Tonasket (20-2) found another gear and swept the next two to advance.
Senior libero Maggie Rahman smacked seven aces to earn the MVP nod.
What should be an entertaining Tonasket-Manson quarterfinal is set for Wednesday at 7:15 p.m.
Toledo (17-6) meets La Conner (14-7) Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in an elimination match.
Game 3: #7 Onalaska 3, #10 Mount Vernon Christian 1
25-14, 23-25, 26-24, 25-18
The Loggers are extremely young with just one senior and three juniors on the team, but they played like veterans to start the tourney.
Emalie Jacoby, one of those juniors, was selected as game MVP and set the tone early with four first-set kills.
After losing a close second set, Onalaska kept its composure to win a tight one in the third and finished strong in the fourth.
Onalaska (15-4) now faces No. 2 Freeman (18-2) in a 7:15 p.m. quarterfinal Wednesday.
Mount Vernon Christian (13-8), which had won nine of its previous 11 matches, hopes keep the season alive in a consolation clash with No. 11 River View (15-6) at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Game 4: #2 Freeman 3, #11 River View 0
25-16, 25-14, 25-14
After last year’s third-place finish, the Scotties (18-2) hope to make another championship push and looked capable in their opener
Senior Greta Van Gemert, the game MVP, led an electric offense and keyed the defense as well. Juniors Logan Pecht (6-3) and Avery Berglund (6-2) were impressive as well.
River View stayed close for much of the opening set, but faded from there. The Panthers (15-6) face No. 10 Mount Vernon Christian (13-8) in an elimination bout Wednesday at 3:30.
Game 5: #5 Lind-Ritzville-Sprague 3, #12 Kittitas 0
25-17, 25-20, 25-15
The Coyotes (18-3) dropped their third straight match after an 18-0 start and face an elimination match Wednesday at 3:30 against No. 13 Davenport (13-7). They kept the first two sets close and had an 11-8 lead in the third, but the Broncos (17-3) pulled away in all three to advance to the quarterfinals. They take on No. 4 Toutle Lake (18-3) Wednesday at 7:15.
Senior Sage Galbreath, a 5-foot-9 MB, did a little bit of everything to set the pace and garner the game MVP tag. Junior Alesandra Mendez, a 5-6 OH, also stood out.
Game 6: #4 Toutle Lake 3, #13 Davenport 1
25-20, 25-11, 23-25, 25-16
The Fighting Ducks are accustomed to sweeps with 13 of them on the season and appeared headed for another one before Davenport said not so fast.
The Gorillas rode their defense to a third-set victory to buoy their hopes. But senior setter Kendall Dean came through with stellar passes in the fourth as Toutle Lake closed things out. She was tabbed game MVP.
Toutle Lake (18-3) moves to the quarterfinals against No. 5 Lind-Ritzville-Sprague (17-3) Wednesday at 7:15. Davenport (13-7) falls into the consolation bracket against No. 12 Kittitas (18-3) Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
Game 7: #8 Northwest Christian 3, # 9 Tri-Cities Prep 1
25-14, 18-25, 25-16, 25-18
The two teams came in with just five losses between them and fought like it.
It was one set apiece before Northwest Christian took control and earned a sport in the quarterfinals, thanks largely to the play of game MVP Lauren Mathews.
The Crusaders (20-2) get a shot at No. 1 Rainier (17-4) Wednesday at 7:15 p.m.
Tri-Cities Prep (19-4) has a must-win match against No. 16 Orcas Island (10-12) Wednesday at 5:15 p.m.
Game 8: #1 Rainier 3, #16 Orcas Island 1
23-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-13
Make it nine straight victories for the top-seeded Mountaineers (17-4), although they had to bounce back from a first-set loss to get this one.
Junior Allyson Doms, the game MVP, put down seven kills to lead Rainier. Next up in the quarterfinals is No. 8 Northwest Christian (20-2) Wednesday at 7:15 p.m.
Orcas Island (10-12) is staring at elimination and plays No. 9 Tri-Cities Prep Wednesday at 5:15 p.m.
Link to WIAA State Volleyball Matches on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
Thursday, November 13
Link to WIAA State Volleyball Matches on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
Consolation Bracket (Loser Out matches)
Game 17: Crt 1 #15 River View vs #14 Toledo 8am
Game 18: Crt 2 #13 Davenport vs #9 Tri-Cities Prep 8am
Game 19: Crt #7 Onalaska vs #3 Tonasket 8am
Game 20: Crt 4 #4 Toutle Lake vs #1 Rainier 8am
Semi-Finals Bracket
Game 21: Crt 1 #6 Manson vs #2 Freeman 10am
Game 22: Crt 2 #5 Lind-Ritzville-Sprague vs #8 NW Christian (Colbert) 10am
Link to WIAA State Volleyball Matches on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
Trophy Round
7th/8th Place
Game 23: Crt 4 Winner Game 17 vs Winner Game 18 12pm
5th/6th Place
Game 24: Crt 5 Winner Game 20 vs Winner Game 19 12pm
3rd/4th Place
Game 25: Crt 1 Loser Game 21 vs Loser Game 22 2pm
State Championship
Game 26: Crt 3 Winner Game 21 vs Winner Game 22 5:30pm
www.elisportsnetwork.com
