11/15/25 

The Lynden Lions are not strangers to winning State Championship trophies but they had never got one in Volleyball. The mission was set and the Lions roared through the entire season un beaten and finished it off with 

Link to WIAA official bracket

Saturday, November 15

State Championship

It’s been a storybook season for Rian Stephan and her Lynden teammates.

One she couldn’t have scripted any better after the top-seeded Lions capped an unbeaten campaign with their first Class 2A state volleyball championship Saturday at the Yakima SunDome.

And it was a thriller against an electric Ellensburg squad that played them toe-to-toe before falling in three, 26-24, 25-23, 26-24. Neither team led by more than four throughout.

“It’s unbelievable” Stephen said. “Lynden’s volleyball program has never done this before, so we’re the first. It’s unreal.”

The 6-foot-1 senior savored the moment, her long arms wrapped around the championship trophy like she didn’t want to let go. But Stephen is equally enthusiastic about what’s to come at to the University of Washington.

“I’m excited,” she said. “This is the end of one chapter, and I can’t wait to start the next.”

Stephen’s stats weren’t as eye-popping as usual – a half-dozen kills, five digs, four blocks, one ace – but the Bulldogs always had to constantly account for her and Lynden (23-0) features a treasure-trove of talent.

Finley Parcher slammed eight kills and Lexi Hermanutz contributed six. Both are lanky juniors who should make the Lions contenders again next season. Senior Olivia Holmes was a major factor in their net defense with five blocks.

And then there was senior libero Cambell Delong, who was everywhere on the floor with eight digs and delivered the match-winning ace.

Delong drew MVP honors as well as high praise from coach Chris Eisner.

“She is the driver behind everything,” Eisner said. “We had one of our best defensive nights. Our offense wasn’t connecting as well as it usually does, so our defense had to really rise and she made that happen. She just led us.”

Ellensburg (19-3) was led by Hadley Potts, a 6-2 junior who put together eight kills and seven blocks. Seniors Lydia Simmons added seven kills and Joely Tornow had six.

Libery Aubree Rosenberry, another senior, amassed 23 kills. But the Bulldogs (19-3), who ended Columbia River’s run of four consecutive titles in the semifinals, couldn’t overcome some uncommon hitting and serving errors.

It was another disappointing finish for Ellensburg after last year’s five-set loss to River. The Bulldogs have five other runner-up trophies and won their lone title back in 1988.

But coach Jesse Stueckle had only positive things to say about his team, which includes daughters Sarah and Ava.

“These girls worked so hard this season,” he said. “Those last three sets there, within two, we had opportunities. Lynden – what a great team. We had a great effort and stayed together. I’m just really proud.”

Ellensburg indeed had its chances, but the Lions kept finding ways to finish sets – like Parcher’s big block to end set up match point.

Eisner, in her 19^th year as Lynden coach, said she sense all season that this could be the team that finally finished on top.

“This is a really special group and they make it about things bigger than volleyball,” she said. “They make it about things that are much bigger than the score. They make it about each other. I think that when you have that kind of focus you’re just bound to have some success. They get in the gym every day and try to get better.”

Stephan said the championship vision began to form for her over the summer after the team won a tournament in Arizona.

“We set goals to become league champs, district champs and state champs and we got all three,” she said.

Stephan’s success doesn’t come simply from her physical talents, according to her coach.

“She’s a very special player,” Eisner said. “She’s super dynamic and strong and very crafty on the court, but she’s always just a very passionate person and she gives everything to her teammates. She is fiery in spirit and committed to putting in whatever it takes to be the best she can be.”

And she helped make Lynden the best 2A volleyball team in the state.

Trophy Round

3^rd-4^th places

25-15, 25-21, 25-23

Many were anxious to see how the River Rapids responded to their upset loss to Ellensburg in the semifinals, ending their bid for a fifth consecutive championship.

The answer?

They responded like champions.

River (22-1) rolled to an early 14-9 lead behind some tough serving and solid defense.

Sehome (16-6) improved in each of the next two sets, but the River Rapids held them off both times.

Junior Sophie Gourley put together 12 kills and four aces to garner MVP status. Seniors Adelynn Cameron (nine kills), Avery Seley (three aces) and Quinn Aubery (three aces) were key contributors.

Sehome senior Hayden Niewiadomski closed out her prep career with another solid showing

The Mariners (16-6) collected their first piece of hardware since placing sixth in 2017.

5^th-6^th places

Game 24: #4 Tumwater 3, #6 Archbishop Murphy 2

22-25, 27-25, 20-25, 27-25, 15-9

Tove Hugus is known for her huge moments.

The senior hitter had several Saturday in leading Tumwater to the comeback victory, leading to her MVP moniker.

Senior Paige Henderson and junior Sydney Wilson also made major impacts for the Thunderbirds (19-4).

It’s their first trophy since winning it all in 2016.

Archbishop Murphy (21-3) had control early with a 2-1 advantage, but couldn’t close out the victory despite the steady setting and serving by junior Teuila Halalilo.

The Wildcats placed fourth last season.

7^th-8^th places

Game 23: #8 Bainbridge 3, #10 Pullman 2

23-25, 25-22, 25-21, 21-25, 15-6

Zariyah Francis, a hard-hitting junior, drilled 15 kills and was a factor on defense as well, claiming MVP honors while sparking the Spartans to their best showing since taking fourth back in 2006.

Senior Carmen MacCulloch used her 6-foot-4 frame to post four kills and four blocks in the third set as Bainbridge went in front 2-1.

But the Greyhounds leaned on senior Jasmyne Washington to push it to a fifth set as she notched four kills and six service points.

Bainbridge (21-2) owned the final set.

MacCulloch finished with eight blocks. She is the daughter of Todd MacCulloch, who played for the University of Washington and then professionally for the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets.

The Greyhounds (17-4), who eliminated Bainbridge enroute to a fifth-place finish in last year’s tourney, collect their fourth straight trophy.

Semi-Finals Bracket 

Championship match set up

It’s a familiar storyline, but in an unfamiliar sport.

Lynden and Ellensburg, best known for their recent rivalry in girls basketball, clash in the championship game of the Class 2A State Volleyball Tournament Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Yakima SunDome.

Yes, you read that right.

It’s Ellensburg, not Columbia River, in the final.

The third-seeded Bulldogs (19-2) took down the four-time defending champions in the semifinals. And it wasn’t even close after the first set – 25-22, 25-15, 25-16.

No. 1 Lions (22-0) advanced with a 3-1 victory over ?? Sehome – 25-18, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18.

Lynden and Ellensburg have finished 1-2 in the past two girls basketball tournaments. This will be the first time they meet to decide who wears the volleyball crown.

No. 2 Columbia River (20-2), which looked completely out of sorts, plays No. 5 Sehome (16-5) at 4:15 Saturday to see who gets third and fourth.

Semifinals

Game 21: #3 Ellensburg 3, #2 Columbia River 0

25-22, 25-15, 25-16

The River Rapids had no answer for Ellensburg’s efficient offense.

Senior Joely Tornow, a 6-1 senior, keyed the torrential attack to take MVP accolades.

She had plenty of help. Andi Musser contributed some big kills and Lydia Simmons got hot in the third. They, too, are seniors. Junior Ava Stueckle distributed the ball well and the Bulldogs got great defensive play from senior Aubree Rosenberry along with juniors Kylie Ayling and Hadley Potts.

Columbia River, which had won 16 in a row, was led by junior Sophia Gourley. The River Rapids made one final surge in the third set, cutting a 21-12 deficit to 21-15 on a pair of aces by Bourley.

But Tornow responded with a big swing and Simmons smacked a pair of kills that made it 24-16. The match ended on a hitting error.

The victory was especially sweet for the Bulldogs after last year’s 3-2 loss to River in the title tilt. They have five other runner-up finishes with their lone championship coming back in 1988.

Game 22: #1 Lynden 3, #5 Sehome 1

25-18, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18

Rian Stephan is a big reason Lynden is unbeaten and seeded at the top.

But she’s not the only one.

Sure, Stephan – the 6-foot-1 senior hitter who has committed to the University of Washington – did her part in getting the Lions to the championship match for the first time since 2018.

With her team clinging to an 18-17 lead, Stephan smacked the ball down, After Sehome’s Paige Flory made it 19-18, it was Stephan with another kill – with started a 6-0 sprint to the finish.

Lexi Hermanutz contributed a kill during the rally and, after a pair of Sehome hitting errors, Jillian Parfet joined the hit party, then Makenna Andrews polished off the match.

Stephan was tabbed MVP.

The Mariners, who had lost 3-0 to Lynden twice this season, didn’t waffle after falling behind 2-0. Getting close in the second set seemed to give them the extra spark they needed as they got on the board in the third – only the fourth time the Lions had lost a set all year.

Each time Lynden threatened to erase a lead, Sehome had an answer. Senior Hayden Niewiadomski nailed the winning kill to extend the match. Bridgette Adams, another 12^th-grader, had a big block in the set.

Consolation Bracket (Loser Out matches)

Game 17: #11 Washington v #10 Pullman 1

25-22, 19-25, 29-27, 27-25

Senior Jasmyne Washington and sophomore Shayna Singh both supplied big swings when the Greyhounds needed them, pushing them into the trophy round.

Pullman (17-3) plays No. 8 Bainbridge (20-2) at 4:15 p.m. Saturday with seventh place on the line. The loser finishes eighth.

Washington – the player – piled up 10 kills with the final two coming late in the fourth as the Greyhounds erased the Patriots’ 23-22 lead.

She was chosen MVP. Singh was also in consideration after smashing five kills in the final set.

Senior Talia Harbour sealed the third set with a pair of kills.

Louden Leia, one of Washington’s three seniors, played a steady match. The Patriots close the season at 18-5.

Game 18: #8 Bainbridge 3, #12 Fife 0

25-16, 25-13, 25-9

The Spartans (20-2) wasted little time in locking down a piece of hardware.

They play No. 10 Pullman (17-3) at 4:15 p.m. to determine seventh and eighth places.

Bainbridge had bigger dreams coming into the tournament, but fell short against No. 9 West Valley of Spokane in Friday’s opening round.

Senior hitter Rollins Anderson spearheaded a relentless attack to claim the MVP award.

Fife finishes the year 16-7.

Game 19: #6 Archbishop Murphy3, Selah 0

25-20, 25-21, 25-19

The young Wildcats, who have just one senior on their roster, bounced back from Friday’s quarterfinal setback against Ellensburg in a big way.

Junior Teulia Halalio ran the offense to near precision in chipped in a few timely kills as well, emerging as the match MVP.

Skyler Cohen, a 6-1 sophomore, sealed the victory with a hefty swing. Ashley Fletcher, a 5-8 junior, supplied most of the offense.

Archbishop Murphy (21-2) takes on No. 4 Tumwater (18-4) at 4:15 Saturday to end their seasons. The winner is fifth, the loser sixth.

Selah, which lost to Columbia River in the quarters, fell just shy of the trophy round at 15-6. Senior Madilynn Shurtleff and sophomore Kjersten DuBois drew worthy mentions.

Game 20: #4 Tumwater 3, #9 West Valley 0

25-22, 25-19, 25-16

Senior Tove Hugus, one of Tumwater’s seven seniors, put together five straight serves in the opening set to give the Thunderbirds a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

She wound up being the match MVP

Paige Henderson, another of the 12^th graders, stood out in the second set. It was more of Hugus and junior Sydney Wilson in the third.

For West Valley of Spokane, which finishes 16-5, senior Cassie Brooks earned notice.

Tumwater (18-4) geta a shot at the fifth-place trophy at 4:15 against No. 6 Archbishop Murphy (21-2).

_____________________________________________

Friday, November 14

2A Semifinal setup

Who will still be standing when the Class 2A State Volleyball tournament concludes Saturday at the Yakima SunDome?

Will it be top-seeded Lynden (21-0)?

Or do the odds favor No. 2 Columbia River (20-1), which always seems to find a way to the top and is, after all, the four-time defending champion?

Don’t count out No. 3 Ellensburg (18-2). And No. 5 Sehome (16-4) would love to play spoiler.

All have reached the semifinals, set for 10:45 a.m. Saturday.

The Columbia River-Ellensburg contest should be especially entertaining.

CR got a significant test from No. 7 Selah in Friday’s quarterfinals while dropping a rare set. But the River Rapids responded for the 3-1 victory.

Ellensburg beat No. 6 Archbishop Murphy in straight sets and hasn’t seemed to play its best volleyball yet.

Selah (15-5) and Archbishop Murphy (20-2) should be fun to watch, too, as they battle at 12:45 to see which one will get a trophy.

Lynden had little trouble on the day with a pair of sweeps, blanking No. 9 West Valley of Spokane in the quarterfinals. The Lions have beaten Sehome 3-0 twice this season, but the Mariners don’t plan to go quietly Saturday.

West Valley (16-4) and Tumwater (17-4) meet in the consolation round at 12:45.

Quarterfinals

Game 13: #3 Ellensburg 3, #6 Archbishop Murphy 0

25-19, 25-16, 25-19

Lydia Simmons, a 5-foot-10 senior, keyed the Bulldogs’ strong play at the net, both offensively and defensively, and picked up the MVP award.

Junior Hadley Potts, the team’s tallest player at 6-foot-2, made her presence felt as well.

Game 14: #2 Columbia River 3, #7 Selah 1

25-23, 19-25, 25-19, 25-23

Columbia River’s confidence never wavered.

Lose a set? Fine.

Lose a match? Not an option.

After the valiant Vikings took the second set, rather convincingly at that, the River Rapids got right back on track and assumed their usual spot in the semifinals.

Sophia Gourley, a hard-hitting junior, put together 12 kills – including four in the decisive fourth set – to grab MVP honors. Chiara Cooper, another 11^th-grader, added some offensive punch as well.

Selah created a buzz by scoring the first seven points of the second set. It was 11-1 before the River Rapids began to respond. They pulled even at 19, but the Vikings shut them out the rest of the way.

Kjersten DuBois, a 5-10 sophomore, hammered three kills during that stretch and accounted for the final two points. Senior Madilynn Shurtleff had a pair of outstanding digs that were equally instrumental.

Game 15: #5 Sehome 3, #4 Tumwater 1

23-25, 25-14, 25-21, 25-19

Hayden Niewiadomski pounded three kills to key the Mariners’ closing 5-1 spurt and take the MVP.

Makenna Andrews and Jacquelyn Hurley were the team’s defensive stalwarts.

It looked as though Sehome might cruise in the decisive fourth set with leads of 17-8, 19-10 and 20-13. But the Thunderbirds put together six straight points to close the gap before Niewiadomski closed the door.

Tove Hugus was once again Tumwater’s top performer.

Game 16: #1 Lynden 3, #9 West Valley 0

25-8, 25-13, 25-19

Once again, the Stephan sisters – Izzie the setter and Rian the hitter – were major factors for the Lions, particularly when West Valley (Spokane) made a strong push in the third set.

But MVP accolades went to junior hitter Finley Parcher for her strong performance.

Khloe Wanberg, West Valley’s senior libero, got a shoutout for her defense against one of the tournament’s most explosive offenses.

2A Consolation Round (Loser Out)

Game 9: #11 Washington 3, # 14 Orting 2

Orting (13-9) raced to a 2-0 advantage with strong all-around play, especially from freshman hitter Macy Smith.

But the Patriots (18-4), who had swept Orting the first three times they had met, cleaned up their offense and defense and showed a sense of urgency.

Senior Amiah Lowe keyed the comeback with well-place kills and was selected MVP.

Washington is a win away from taking home a trophy and plays No. 10 Pullman (16-3) Saturday at 12:45 p.m.

Game 10: #10 Pullman 3, #15 Cedarcrest 0

25-5, 25-18, 25-12

The Greyhounds (16-3) raced to a 9-1 lead in the first set and ultimately won 25-5 to set the tone.

Cedarcrest (6-16) made a strong push in the second set with Scarlett Doenges supplying some resistance at the net.

But Pullman rode senior MVP Jasmyne Washington to the victory and got help from junior Alexis Doumit and sophomore Shayna Sing.

Another elimination bout looms Saturday at 12:45 p.m. against No. 11 Washington (18-4).

Game 11: #12 Fife 3, #13 R.A. Long 2

18-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-23, 15-12

Eastyn Heard finally had enough.

The 5-foot-8 junior spearheaded Fife’s comeback victory with a flurry of kills and was rewarded with the MVP tag.

The Trojans (16-6) will need to go through No. 8 Bainbridge (19-2) to claim a trophy. They play Saturday at 12:45 p.m. in another loser-out affair.

R.A. Long (14-9) got a strong defensive effort from senior Ella Eib.

Game 12: #8 Bainbridge 3 #16 Chief Sealth 1

25-20, 25-9, 23-25, 25-14

The Spartans (19-2) sprinted to a 2-0 lead and seemed untouchable in that lopsided second set.

But Chief Sealth (14-8) didn’t fold and forced a fourth one before going down.

MVP Zariyah Francis, a 5-10 junior, was the primary threat for Bainbridge, which needs one more victory to reach the trophy round. The Spartans play No. 12 Fife (16-6) Saturday at 12:45 p.m. The loser goes home.

Opening Round

Game 1: #6 Archbishop Murphy 3, #11 Washington 0

25-18, 25-23, 26-24

The Patriots had an upset on their minds, but Archbishop Murphy kept finding ways to finish sets and was able to advance to the quarterfinals.

Junior Ashley Fletcher kept the Wildcats (20-1) going in the right direction and was tabbed MVP.

Washington (17-4), which had a 15-match win streak broken by Bainbridge at district, is a young team with only three seniors.

Game 2: #3 Ellensburg 3, #14 Orting 0

25-6, 25-17, 25-19

With an obvious height advantage over an Orting team with just one player over 5-foot-9, the Bulldogs (17-2) dominated at the net.

But MVP accolades went to 5-9 senior Ashlee Shilley, who displayed strong overall play.

Ellensburg is on a mission after coming in as the No. 1 seed last season and losing in the final to Columbia River.

Game 3: #7 Selah 3, #10 Pullman 0

25-14, 25-23, 25-15

A 9-3 run to end the opening set got the Vikings (15-4) in a rhythm as senior Madilynn Shurtleff established herself as the eventual MVP.

Sophomore Kjersten DuBois was a major factor as well.

The Greyhounds (15-3) made a major push in the second set and faltered afterwards. Seniors Jasmyne Washington and Rowyn Lee played well in the loss.

Game 4: #2 Columbia River 3, #15 Cedarcrest 0

25-12, 25-13, 25-12

It’s clear the River Rapids (19-1) have a fifth straight title in mind and steamrolled their way into the quarterfinals.

MVP Sophia Gourley, a junior OH, was the offensive star, punctuating the end of the second set with a sharp kill. Senior Quinn Aubrey had save after save along with multiple pancakes. Junior Chiara Cooper collected the final point on a tip.

Cedarcrest (6-15) came into the tournament riding a three-match win streak.

Game 5: #3 Sehome 3, #12 Fife 0

27-25, 25-17, 25-12

Sehome’s defense got stingier and stingier as the match went on and the Mariners (15-4)  were in full command after the first two sets.

Senior Hayden Niewiadomski benefitted from strong sets by sophomore Taylor Turrell and was named MVP. Junior Paige Flory heated up in the second set as well.

Fife (15-6) got solid net play by senior Patrice Robinson.

Game 6: #4 Tumwater 3, #15 R.A. Long 0

25-17, 25-19, 25-14

If this one looked like a relatively easy win for the Thunderbirds, it wasn’t.

R.A. Long (14-8) built early leads in the first two sets before Tumwater (17-3) clawed back and then finished strong in the third.

Tove Hugus had MVP written all over her. Fellow senior Paige Henderson and junior Kay Kay Malroy were in contention as well for their contributions.

Game 7: #9 West Valley 3, #8 Bainbridge 1

25-22, 25-23, 22-25, 25-23

The scores tell the story: two evenly matched teams went toe to toe, swing for swing, block for block.

Few points came easy as both sides played great defense.

West Valley of Spokane (16-3) took a 2-0 lead on a kill by junior Tala Gilcrist. But the Spartans (18-2) used some big swings by 6-foot-4 Carmen MacCulloch and 5-10 Zariyah Francis to avoid the sweep.

Bainbridge nearly forced a fifth set after taking a 20-18 lead, but was outscored the rest of the way.

West Valley senior Hailey Colyar came through with some clutch plays to emerge as MVP. Junior Audri Gardner chipped in some big kills (including the one to end the first set) and it was kill by senior Cassie Brooks that sealed the victory.

Game 8: #1 Lynden 3, #16 Chief Sealth 0

25-9, 25-9, 25-10

The expectations are high for the unbeaten Lions (20-0) and they certainly lived up to them in their opener.

The offense was efficient and the defense nearly impenetrable as the Seahawks managed just 28 points overall.

Senior hitter Rian Stephan (University of Washington commit) and sophomore setter Izzie Stephan showed their chemistry as sisters and teammates. Junior Sarah McVie was strong in the middle, but it was junior hitter Lexi Hermanutz who was awarded the MVP for her solid all-around play.

Chief Sealth (14-7), which lost last year in the first round to Tumwater and battled back to take seventh, got a solid outing from junior Malia Perez.

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