Sumner High volleyball team looks to senior leadership to guide them to playoffs

The Sumner High volleyball team is feeling a little crowded within the 3A South Puget Sound League. With the 2015 season entering its third week, the Spartans are in a race to reach the playoffs.

Instead of focusing on the top teams in the league — mainly defending Class 3A state champion Auburn Riverside — the Spartans are looking at the final two playoff spots.

“We’re in a really tough league because Riverside went undefeated and were state champs,” coach Eric Stansbury said. “And then (Auburn) Mountainview and Enumclaw tied for second … it was us, Bonney Lake and Peninsula who were the next tier down.”

For Sumner (1-2, 1-1) to get into the playoffs, the Spartans need to get past the middle pack of the SPSL. Auburn (2-1, 1-1) and Lakes (1-2, 0-2) can always surprise, and with Enumclaw (1-1, 1-1) looking stronger than last year, it looks to be a tough season for the Spartans.

“Like I said, it’s a really tough league,” Stansbury said.

Great coaches and great volleyball reside in the 3A SPSL. The Spartans’ thinking is if they can make it through this and solidify one of the five postseason spots, then Sumner will be set up to play the best volleyball of the season.

But to get there, Sumner will need senior leadership from Heather Thompson and Alicia Peterson.

“When it comes to high school volleyball, I have to be more of a leader on the team,” Thompson said over the summer after her Lake Tapps club volleyball season ended. “I know I have to be more vocal because I am one of the main players on Sumner’s team.”

Thompson has taken that leadership charge with full gusto this season, as the senior outside hitter can be seen motivating her teammates at all times during games.

During Sumner’s 3-1 loss to Auburn Mountainview (25-13, 20-25, 25-18 and 25-17) on Thursday, Thompson was constantly seen pushing her teammates to not let up, especially in the second game — Sumner’s only win in the match.

It’s this attitude and resilience that pushes the best out of her teammates.

“She gets here and she’s one of the most competitive kids we have. She gets out there — it doesn’t matter what drill or what — she wants to win,” Stansbury said. “It doesn’t matter if we’re playing tiddlywinks out here — she wants to win.”

The few comeback attempts Sumner was able to muster in the final two games were because of Thompson and Peterson not letting their teammates to roll over. If Sumner was going to lose to the Lions, it will be done their way.

“That’s the thing about Heather and Alicia, too, it’s that they don’t allow their team to cave in,” Stansbury said. “There were times where the younger girls got down, and that’s when Heather wrap her arms around the huddle with Alicia. They show they’re there for them.”

And if the motivation of Thompson and Peterson can persist, the Sumner has the chance of getting through that logjam fight for the No. 4 and No. 5 seed out of the SPSL.

This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 2:32 PM with the headline "Sumner High volleyball team looks to senior leadership to guide them to playoffs."