3A volleyball state bracket breakdown: Lakeside’s 26-0 record stands out as the tournament’s best. Can high-flying Peninsula take them down?
The Class 3A high school state volleyball tournament in Washington begins on Thursday at the Yakima Valley SunDome, with the championship game set for Friday at 7:15 p.m. Here’s what to watch for in this year’s tournament.
TEAM TO BEAT
Their 26-0 record already stands out among the rest, but Lakeside’s volleyball team boasts a statistic even more mind-boggling: the Lions haven’t lost a set since Sept. 25.
“I didn’t even know that, actually,” coach Jeff Kim said with a laugh in an interview with The News Tribune. “We’re trying to just approach the match at hand.
“Focus on 1:30 p.m. Thursday. … We don’t want to look ahead too far.”
That’s their first game in the 3A state tournament, and their opponent remains undecided as a first-round matchup between North Thurston and Interlake determines what team battles the Lions next. But when 20 squads take to the Yakima Valley SunDome in hopes of hoisting a championship trophy, there’s an undoubted favorite.
The Lions are the tournament’s top seed, and it’s up to the others to take them down.
Lakeside keeps it simple. They prioritize first contact, and beat opponents through serving and passing skills. That spills over, and benefits other aspects of the game.
And as any top-seeded team would, they score — a lot. They’re aggressive, smart on the net, and benefit from a sisterhood-like atmosphere, Kim said.
“We’re focusing on ‘team,’ and being the best team we can be from the start to the finish,” Kim said. “We’ll have our ups and downs, just as any other team goes through, but just focusing on continuing to stick together.”
WHICH SOUTH SOUND TEAMS HAVE THE BEST SHOT TO MAKE A RUN?
If not for the undefeated Lakeside Lions, the surging Seahawks may be the best team in the tournament.
After an undefeated season in the 3A SSC, Peninsula earned the tournament’s second seed, and arrive in Yakima as one of Lakeside’s top competitors.
They’re led by co-captains Langley Griffin and Kadence Stoddard, though senior Lauren Wittmers could have easily been a third, had she not voted for someone else in the selection process. They’re selfless, coach Katrina Cardinal said, and they all agree on their goal: a state title.
“We’re all basically like sisters,” Griffin told The News Tribune last month. “Honestly, we’re so close. It’s definitely a special bond that we have... you can go to anybody on the team.”
Both Griffin and Stoddard fight to win, but they do it differently, Cardinal said. Griffin uses a six-foot frame to cover the court in three steps and trouble opponents on the service line. In a rivalry game earlier this year, Peninsula’s star junior rattled off “ace after ace after ace after ace” that jump started a seven-point comeback effort.
And she’s the next Griffin athlete to leave a winning mark on the Peninsula athletic program. Big-sister Maeve went on to play volleyball at the University of Washington, and her brother, Burke, was a first-team selection to The News Tribune’s All-Area football team as Peninsula’s quarterback in his senior year.
Not that others won’t prepare, but Stoddard watches game film. She’s sure to understand an opponent’s weakness before stepping on the court, and Cardinal added last month: “(Stoddard) wants to know the answer to everything.”
If not for a pair of non-league tournament losses on Oct. 9, Peninsula would have been undefeated, too. Still, their No. 2 seeding earned a first-round bye, while Central Kitsap and Eastside Catholic battle for a chance to take down the high-flying Seahawks.
Just last weekend, Peninsula locked up the WCD 3/4 3A title after a win over Auburn Riverside. Ravens coach Matt Tienda admits it was an off-game, yet their state title hopes remain alive.
The Ravens (23-4) are the 3A tournament’s eighth seed.
That district championship game was one Cardinal didn’t expect. Peninsula raced to a 2-0 lead, and finished off the Ravens by set four.
“We just had an off-game,” coach Matt Tienda said. “We’re feeling pretty good going into the tournament. ... I know it’s not gonna be easy, but we’re focusing, and we’re feeling pretty good.”
Like Peninsula, there’s a relationship and support system among the Auburn Riverside group that Tienda believes can keep the team out of ruts and lows. Their program has a mantra — to lead with love.
“My girls get along so well,” Tienda said. “They’re such good teammates. They support each other, and they know that they all have each other’s back.”
After a pair of season-opening losses to Peninsula and Lake Stevens, the Ravens exploded for a dozen straight wins. They lost to Ridgefield on Oct. 9, the same day Peninsula did.
They wouldn’t lose again until last weekend’s district-title defeat at the hands of the two-seeded Seahawks.
“Oh, yeah, we definitely would like a rematch with Peninsula,” Tienda said. “And play to our fullest potential.”
Kristeen Copeland leads the Ravens in kills as a middle blocker, a unique feat typically awarded to outside hitters. You just don’t really see it, Tienda said. And their big-hitting dual-threat Alisia Silverthorn ranks just behind Copeland in kills, despite splitting time at outside hitter and setter.
At libero, Hannah Couch leads the group in digs and rounds out Tienda’s group of three captains, all of which “lead by example, on and off the court.” They’ll look to make a title run of their own on Thursday, matched up against No. 9 Stanwood.
“In any sport, it’s just keeping the positivity on the court, even if you’re in a rut,” Tienda said. “I mean, that mindset is a big part of the game. Just making sure that we’re all on a good mindset, and all positive.”
DIFFERENCE MAKERS FROM SOUTH SOUND TEAMS
Langley Griffin, Peninsula: Junior co-captain that covers the court in three steps. Uses a six-foot frame “and natural gifts of athletic ability” to move the ball effortlessly.
Kadence Stoddard, Peninsula: Senior co-captain. Intense on the court, and spends time off the court studying. Praised by coach Katrina Cardinal for her understanding of opponents. Knows the weakness of “every player that lines up against her.”
Lauren Wittmers, Peninsula: Her play in last weekend’s district tournament helped deliver the Seahawks a WCD 3/4 3A title. Used 89 assists, 20 dogs, 10 kills, and a district trophy to snag a TNT Player of the Week nomination. Uses a high volleyball IQ to move opposing blockers and use teammates as decoys.
Kristeen Copeland, Auburn Riverside: Ravens co-captain and senior middle blocker that committed to Westminster College in Utah. Leads the Ravens in kills, despite playing on the inside. “You just don’t see that,” coach Matt Tienda said.
Alisia Silverthorn, Auburn Riverside: Dual-threat that plays outside hitter and setter. Finished second in team kills despite splitting time at two positions. Junior co-captain that learned the position of setter this season.