11/15/25 

Plenty of excitement in the 1A State Volleyball Tournament with the Chelan Mountain Goats aiming for a state record 6 straight Championships. It wasn’t all smooth sailing as the Goats had to survive a fired up Cashmere squad in the semifinals going the full 5 sets.

Additionally, there were many upsets getting to the final 4 with the 5 (Cashmere), 6 (La Center) and 7 (Meridian) seeds knocking the 2-3-4 seeds into the consolation bracket in the quarterfinal round.

ESN’s Sandy Ringer has coverage of all 26 matches below taking you through the entire tournament.

Link to WIAA official bracket

All Stories by Sandy Ringer

Saturday, November 15

State Championship

1A State Volleyball championship story

They’ve always considered it a family affair inside the Chelan volleyball program.

But the term really hit home for Brynn Hughbanks this season as she closed out a prolific career by leading the Mountain Goats to an unprecedented sixth consecutive Class 1A state championship Saturday night at the Yakima SunDome, 3-0 over Meridian – 25-15, 25-12, 25-16.

“I feel super grateful just to have this opportunity to play with this team,” the hard-hitting senior said. “But most of all it’s been super fun to play with my sister and my cousin on the team.”

Both are freshmen. Sister Jayzee Hughbanks is the team’s starting libero. Cousin Faryn Huewe contributes offensively off the bench.

Once again, big sis was the star of the show. Brynn, who has committed to Florida State for beach volleyball, drew chants of “MVP! MVP! MVP!” nearly every time she belted a kill – which was frequently. She amassed 19 kills and indeed was the match MVP for the second year in a row.

“She’s spectacular,” Meridian coach Angie Short said. “It will be fun to watch her in college.”

Chelan coach Abby Lewellen concurs.

“She’s a once-in-a-lifetime player,” she said. “She’s obviously an incredible volleyball player, but what people don’t see is the incredible person she is. That’s what’s been the joy for me to watch her grow into an incredible leader, and her humility is top-notch.”

The Mountain Goats are now in a class of their own, surpassing the string of five straight titles Mead of Spokane put together from 2003 through 2007 at the 4A level.

The record was added incentive for the Mountain Goats.

“That’s definitely part of it,” Hughbanks said. “It’s definitely cool to break a record for Washington state. But most of all we just wanted to do it for each other.”

Junior setter Brooklyn Foyle was fabulous with 39 assists. Jayzee Hughbanks and Marley Williams combined for six digs as the Mountain Goats capped a 23-0 campaign. Chelan last lost in mid-September of 2023 – to 2A Ellensburg.

Is it something in the water there?

Not exactly.

“We have an incredible club program,” Lewellen said, crediting the beach program as well. “They’ve been playing since they were in diapers, basically. It’s kind of a joke. These kids are playing volleyball all year round. But then on top of it we just really, really, really focus on the intangibles and becoming better people through the process. When we do that, it just allows us to play free because we’re not so wrapped up in the outcome, we’re way more wrapped up in who we become in the process.”

And winning never gets old.

“Every single team is so different and you have to work so hard to get here,” the coach said. “No matter what it’s just an unbelievable experience.”

Meridian (17-7) was seeking its first title since winning at the 2A level in 2004. The Trojans also won in 1998. They finished eighth last season and fourth the year before, when they lost to Chelan in the semifinals.

Sophomore Melanie Short was their top player Saturday with 10 kills.

Her coach had high praise for the team.

“It’s always so hard to get to state from our district, so it was a battle just to get here,” she said. “But once we got here we wanted to do something big and bring home some hardware. The girls just showed so much heart and grit. They came to battle every single time we took the court and they deserved to be here. It was amazing and I’m just really proud of them.”

Trophy Round

3^rd-4^th places

Game 25: #5 Cashmere 3, #6 La Center 0

25-19, 25-18, 25-19

The Bulldogs (22-3) continued their climb with a strong third-place showing.

They took fifth last year and are still a young squad that will lose only two seniors.

Hazel Schade, one of those seniors, was a key factor in this one and was tabbed MVP. Freya Dronen is the other and she had to step up with libero Mandy Barba suffered a shoulder injury in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Junior Cali Diaz was active in the offense as well.

La Center (20-3), which leaves with a piece of hardware for the fourth straight year, got strong performances from a trio of juniors – Paige Sherry, Whitney Martell and McQuinn Erickson.

The Wildcats have just four seniors and should contend again next season.

5^th-6^th places

Game 24: #4 Lynden Christian 3, #2 Cedar Park Christian 0

25-19, 25-19, 26-24

Allison Wright, a 6-foot-2 middle hitter, was the catalyst as the Lyncs ended their season on a positive note and was chosen MVP.

Junior Lyla Parriera showed her defensive skills throughout but was especially stingy in the opening set. Sophomore Sadie Meyer ended the second set with a kill and senior setter Ella Fritts dumped in the final point.

Sophomore Tyra Dykstra got a shoutout for her serving.

Lynden Christian improved on last year’s seventh-place showing.

Cedar Park Christian (20-4) adds to its trophy case as well. The Eagles were third last season.

7^th-8^th places

Game 23: #16 The Bear Creek School 3, #14 Columbia 2

21-25, 17-25, 25-14, 25-21, 16-14

Two of the tournament’s lowest seeds showed they weren’t just happy to be here.

The Bruins (12-10) were in good position to go out with a win after jumping out to a 2-0 lead. But Bear Creek (13-11) clawed all the way back with senior Calyse Parker putting down the final point.

MVP honors went to fellow senior Kate Marshall, who played strong net defense as well as supplying some punch to the offense.

It was freshman Jessica Liu who got the Grizzlies going in the third set and the came from behind to force a fifth. Senior Megan Urban drew notice as well.

For Columbia, senior setter Bella Hamilton spread the offense around. Seniors Sara Miller and Kiana Chambers logged some good swings along with junior Fiona Grabb. Joella Posini and Julia Mullinix, two other 11^th-graders, defended well at the net.

Bear Creek nearly matched last year’s sixth-place performance.

Columbia’s only other trophy came back in 2003 (sixth).

1A State Volleyball – Day 2

Championship match set up

Those who penciled top-seeded Chelan into the championship match of the Class 1A State Volleyball Tournament might have thought about keeping an eraser close.

Because No. 5 Cashmere made their semifinal bout a battle before going down 3-2 – 22-25, 25-16, 25-20, 22-25, 15-9.

But, sure enough, here the unbeaten Mountain Goats are – one win away from what would be a historic sixth consecutive title. No other program has captured more than five in a row (4A Mead, 2003 through 2007).

Chelan (22-0) plays No. 7 Meridian (18-6) Saturday at 6:15 p.m. in the Yakima SunDome.

Meridian, which won crowns back in 2004 and 1998, put on a masterful performance to beat No. 6 La Center, 3-1 – 26-24, 27-25, 24-26, 25-17.

Cashmere (21-3) faces La Center (20-2) at 2:30 p.m. to determine third and fourth places.

Semifinals

Game 21: #7 Meridian 3, #6 La Center 1

26-24, 27-25, 24-26, 25-17

Meridian made noise in last year’s tournament, taking eighth place.

The Trojans are much louder this season – thanks largely to the play of sophomore Melanie Short.

She was dynamic at the net and drew MVP accolades for the match.

Short fired missiles to end both the of the first two sets.

La Center, which started the season 19-0 before losing 3-2 to Kalama at district, fought back to claim the third set. Senior setter Bailey Espana fed junior hitters Whitney Martell and Paige Sherry to force the fourth with senior libero Nadia Whited wiping the floor defensively.

The Trojans led just 15-13 in that fourth set before pulling away. Senior Gracie Pap threw up a block to get them to match point, where Short took care of business.

Senior setter Chloe Bressler put on a passing clinic along the way.

Game 22: #1 Chelan 3, #5 Cashmere 2

22-25, 25-16, 25-20, 22-25, 15-9

Cashmere played with no fear.

Despite two earlier losses to Chelan by combined 6-1 scores, the Bulldogs believed this time could be different.

And, to a point, it was.

Because the Mountain Goats know something about confidence, too, and it was on full display early in the fifth set, when senior Brynn Hughbanks fueled a 7-0 run that gave them a 9-2 advantage. A pair of aces by junior Brooklyn Foyle were key, too.

Cashmere, playing without a libero after Mandy Barba hurt her shoulder in the quarterfinals, wasn’t done yet.

Macie Smart, the savvy junior who factored big-time in the team’s upset bid, hammered two straight kills and Faith Courtney’s ace closed it to 9-5. Later, another Smart kill got it to 12-9.

But a pair of rare errors led to match point, where Hughbanks delivered again.

Cashmere got Chelan’s attention early by taking the first set – just the sixth the Mountain Goats had lost all season (and two of those came in the season opener against Ellensburg, which is playing for the 2A title Saturday.

The Bulldogs proved it wasn’t a fluke by winning the fourth on yet another spike by Smart. Junior setter Cali Diaz dazzled throughout the match.

1A Consolation Round (Winner to Trophy Round, loser out)

Game 17: #14 Columbia 3, #10 Annie Wright 0

25-19, 25-20, 25-20

Bella Hamilton, a senior setter, led a solid team performance as the Bruins won back-to-back matches to land a spot in the trophy round.

Columbia (12-9), which lost Friday’s opener to Cascade Christian, will play No. 16 The Bear Creek School (0) Saturday at 2:30 p.m. to decide seventh and eighth places.

Hamilton ran the show as the Bruins built a big lead against Annie Wright of Tacoma in the opening set and held on. She was the match MVP. Senior hitter Sara Miller bashed the final kill of the contest and was solid throughout.

Annie Wright (15-7) got strong play from sophomores Sydney Farach and Jolieke Laudy. The Gators lose just two seniors and should be back next season.

Game 18: #16 The Bear Creek School 3, #12 Omak 2

23-25, 25-14, 26-24, 10-25, 16-14

Defense was the difference in this rollercoaster match, where it was difficult to see one team have to go home without any hardware.

Senior libero Youyou Zhang was a digging machine for the Grizzlies (12-11), who pulled out a second straight five-set thriller to land a spot in the match for seventh and eighth places. They face #14 Columbia (12-9) Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

An eight-point comeback gave Bear Creek a 2-1 lead, but the Pioneers took the fourth set decisively and had their chances in the fifth.

Sophomore hitter Faith Henrick and junior setter Audrina Robinette were the workhorses for Omak, which closed out the season 15-9.

Game 19: #2 Cedar Park Christian 3, #3 Cascade Christian 1

25-18, 13-25, 25-21, 25-22

Cedar Park’s seniors didn’t want their prep careers to end short of the trophy round, and they played like it.

Mikayla Liljenquist led the way, earning the MVP nod. Abby Moisant also played a significant role along with junior Eliza Nance.

The Eagles (20-2), who had lost 3-2 to Meridian in Friday’s quarterfinals, controlled the net in the opening set. Cascade Christian (17-6) put up a strong defensive effort to even things at 1-1, then dropped a pair of close ones as CP sophomore Wakelea Barkema nailed the final kill.

Outside hitter Jenica Walling and liberty Sophia Janho, both seniors, stood out for the Cougars.

Cedar Park will face No. 4 Lynden Christian (16-6) at 2:30 in the match for fifth and sixth.

Game 20: # 4 Lynden Christian 3, #8 Kalama 0

25-11, 25-19, 25-11

Lynden Christian dominated, particularly in the first and third sets.

Senior setter Ella Fritts kept the match flowing and came away with the MVP honor.

Fellow senior Alliston Wright, a menacing 6-foot-2, was the biggest beneficiary, while 6-1 junior Jocelyn Eshuis got in her share of swings as well.

L-C (16-6), coming off a tough five-set loss to Cashmere in the quarterfinals, goes for the fifth-place trophy at 2:30 p.m. The loser winds up sixth.

Kalama, which came into the tourney riding a four-game win streak, ends the season 18-6.

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Friday, November 14

Quarterfinal Bracket

1A Semifinal setup

It was business as usual for top-seeded Chelan in the Class 1A State Volleyball Tournament Friday at the Yakima SunDome.

The same couldn’t be said for the other expected contenders.

Chelan (21-0) swept both of its matches to stay on course for a sixth consecutive championship. The Mountain Goats blanked No. 8 Kalama in the quarterfinals. Next up is No. 5 Cashmere (21-2) in a 9 a.m. semifinal. The Bulldogs edged No. 4 Lynden Christian, 3-2, in the quarterfinals.

No. 7 Meridian (17-6) meets No. 6 La Center (21-1) in Saturday’s other 9 a.m. semi.

The Trojans took down No. 2 Cedar Park Christian in the quarterfinals, while La Center knocked off No. 3 Cascade Christian. Both matches went five sets.

Cedar Park Christian (19-3) and Cascade Christian (17-5) square off in an elimination match Saturday at 10:45 a.m. Lynden Christian (15-6) plays Kalama in another loser-out contest, also at 10:45 a.m.

Game 13: #6 La Center 3, #3 Cascade Christian 2

25-23, 22-25, 19-25, 25-20, 15-9

Paige Sherry, a junior OH, was one of multiple stars for the Wildcats. But her clutch kills in the final set vaulted her to the MVP award.

Senior Bailey Espana had a big first set, including the final point, and junior Whitney Martell delivered several dynamite blocks.

Cascade Christian led 2-1 and was strong defensively early. Jenica Walling stook out for the Cougars overall.

Game 14: #7 Meridian 3, #2 Cedar Park Christian 2

25-23, 17-25, 25-10, 20-25, 15-8

Meridian, which placed eighth last season and fourth the year before, has had a streaky season. The Trojans had one stretch with seven straight wins and another with six. They have now one four in a row, dating back to the district tournament.

Senior Taya Benson keyed this one to get the MVP moniker. Junior Eden Bernardy was also in consideration with several serving runs to go with some big swings.

Game 15: #5 Cashmere 3, #4 Lynden Christian 2

25-19, 22-25, 16-25, 25-19, 15-12

Macie Smart, a 5-foot-11 junior, came out swinging in the opening set. And she turned up the heat again when the Bulldogs fell behind 2-1.

Her play down the stretch was certainly MVP worthy.

Setter Cali Diaz knows how to get Smart the ball, but is also adept at spreading the wealth with fellow junior Faith Courtney another beneficiary who knows what to do with the ball.

LC’s top performers included senior setter Ella Fritts and junior middle Jocelyn Eshuis.

Game 16: #1 Chelan 3, #8 Kalama 0

25-13, 25-18, 25-16

The Chinooks had no answer for Chelan senior Brynn Hughbanks, who was nearly unstoppable at the net.

Marley Williams, another senior weapon, was also a force as the Mountain Goats stayed in control throughout the match.

1A Consolation Round (Loser Out)

Game 9: #14 Columbia 3, #11 Lakeside 0

25-18, 25-21, 25-20

The Bruins (11-9) are still in the trophy chase after eliminating a scrappy Lakeside team (13-4).

Joella Posini, a junior MB, keyed the victory and was crowned MVP. Junior Lola Marti and sophomore Mckena Carlock played lock-down defense.

For Lakeside, sophomore McKenna Almond had some exceptional digs in the back row. Junior Sienna Weinberger was the offensive spark.

Columbia plays No. 10 Annie Wright (15-6) at 9 a.m. Saturday in another elimination game.

Game 10: #10 Annie Wright 3, #15 Life Christian 1

25-13, 25-27, 25-10, 25-13

With the match tied 1-1, MVP Sloane Jackson teamed with Jolieke Laudy to put the pesky Eagles away.

Raina Mathews also drew praise for her play.

Life Christian of Tacoma (11-11) finishes the season with a .500 record.

Annie Wright (15-6), also located in Tacoma, faces No. 14 Columbia Saturday at 9 a.m. The winner is assured of a trophy.

Game 11: #12 Omak 3, #13 Seton Catholic 2

15-25, 26-24, 21-25, 25-23, 15-11

Two points away from elimination in the fourth set, the Pioneers (15-8) scored four straight to stay alive (25-23), evening the match at 2-2. The final set was also close, but Omak stayed in control.

Senior Finley Sackman figured into plenty of plays and was tabbed MVP. Junior Lainie Best played sound defense and provided the winning ace in the second set.

The Pioneers play another loser-out context Saturday at 9 a.m. against surprising Bear Creek (11-11), the 16^th seed.

Game 12: #16 The Bear Creek School 3, #9 King’s 2

25-22, 24-26, 17-25, 25-23, 15-13

After losing to the Knights twice during the regular season, Bear Creek won the one that counted most.

Senior Kate Marshall made sure the Grizzlies stayed in the trophy chase and made off with MVP honors, showing her high volleyball IQ as well as her ability to put the ball down.

Megan Urban, another senior, was also lethal at the net. Bear Creek (11-11) takes on No. 12 Omak Saturday at 9 a.m., needing one more win to claim a trophy.

King’s, which finishes the season 9-12, let a 2-1 lead slip away.

Opening Round

Game 1: #6 La Center 3, #11 Lakeside 0

25-17, 25-22, 25-23

Senior Bailey Espana helped the Wildcats start a new win streak after Kalama snapped their 19-match skein in the district tournament (3-2). She stood out in all phases of the game to earn MVP honors as they improved to 20-1.

Junior setter McQuinn Erickson helped the come-from-behind win in the second set with her precision passing with sophomore libero Aimee England digging up almost everything.

Lakeside (13-3) was resilient on defense, especially in the third set, but fell short.

Game 2: #3 Cascade Christian 3, #14 Columbia 0

25-19, 25-18, 25-17

The Cougars (17-4) cruised into the quarterfinals behind the heavy arm of senior Jenica Waling, who consistently found holes in the Columbia defense. Sophie Janho, another 12^th-grader, stood out at the service line.

Junior Joelle Posini played a solid match for the Bruins (10-9).

Game 3: #7Meridian 3, #10 Annie Wright 0

25-18, 25-15, 25-14

Meridian (16-6) moved into the quarterfinals behind the big swings of junior Eden Bernardy.

Annie Wright (14-6) featured solid passing from sophomore Sydney Farach, but now needs to bounce back in the consolation round.

Game 4: #2 Cedar Park Christian 3, #15 Life Christian Academy 0

25-10, 25-14, 25-7

The Eagles (19-2) looked like serious title contenders once again as they controlled nearly all aspects of the match. They were second to Chelan a year ago.

Abby Moisant, a 5-foot-8 senior OH, came out on top among the MVP candidates.

Life Christian (11-10), showed some spark in the third set, but was never able to get into an offensive flow.

Game 5: #5 Cashmere 3, #12 Omak 0

25-10, 25-14, 25-17

Macie Smark, one of the Bulldogs’ talented group of juniors, set the tone early by patrolling the net and emerged as the MVP.

Freshman Kiana Baty introduced herself with some key serves, including one for the win in the second set as Cashmere (20-2) maintained the lead.

Omak (14-8), put together a late push in the third, but was turned away.

Game 6: #4 Lynden Christian 3, #13 Seton Catholic 0

25-21, 25-15, 25-18

The Ella Fritts-to-Jocelyn Eshuis combo was on full display as the Lyncs (15-5) started the tournament on the right foot.

Tyra Dykstra and Allison Wright were also part of their hit parade as LC looks to improve on last year’s seventh-place finish.

Seton Catholic (14-6) made each set competitive.

Game 7: #8 Kalama 3, #9 King’s 1

25-23, 25-17, 14-25, 25-19

The Chinooks had their hands full with a feisty King’s club that fought hard to stay in the winner’s bracket.

But senior Emily Capen came up with clutch kills – and the match-winning ace – to claim MVP and push Kalama (18-4) into the quarterfinals. Sophomore Hiley Lawson drew attention for her all-round play.

The Knights (9-11) were paced by setter Rebekah Blackmer and OH Lucy Mortimer, both seniors.

Game 8: #1 Chelan 3, #16 The Bear Creek School 0

25-17, 25-7, 25-15

The quest for a sixth-consecutive championship started just about as expected for the 20-0 Mountain Goats.

Senior Brynn Hughbanks had the offense humming early, garnering MVP, and junior Esther Petersen let little get past her at the net.

The Grizzlies (10-11) got good defensive efforts from senior Youyou Zhang and freshman Olivia Araujo.

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