4A volleyball bracket breakdown: Curtis is flying high into the state tournament
The Class 4A high school volleyball state tournament begins Friday at the Yakima Valley SunDome. Here’s a look at what to watch for in this year’s tournament.
THE TEAM TO BEAT
Bothell, from the KingCo, comes into the tournament as the No. 1 seed with a 19-2 overall record. The Cougars are led by three-year starter and outside hitter Jenna Legault, a Fresno State commit. She has 405 kills (4.5 kills per set) on the year. She’s complemented by outside hitter Haedyn Bambolo, who’s second on the team with 319 kills (3.5/set).
“It’s kind of a 1-2 punch,” Bothell coach Russell Monsef told The News Tribune. “Both those girls are good rotation players who pack a punch at the net and their volleyball IQ is high. … If we’re controlling the ball well and our setters do a great job moving the ball around, they’re tough to beat. They hit good spots hard.”
The Cougars are also getting a boost heading into state with the return of Eleanor “Nora” Hayd, who suffered an ankle injury in the first match of the year, and just returned the last week of the regular season, just in time for playoffs. The right-side hitter is averaging 2 kills per set, good for third on the team.
“Adding another 6-footer, has a great arm, great back row player, great passer,” Monsef said. “She provides a little better block for us. … It’s just a good boost.”
At this level, everyone is good. Monsef knows it won’t be a cakewalk to the the championship game. He’s preaching consistency to his team.
“Get control of the ball,” he said. “We’ve talked about it all season, the margins are small. All these teams are good. Any team can beat another team on any given day. It’s about who is playing well at the right time.”
WHICH SOUTH SOUND TEAMS COULD MAKE A RUN?
Curtis, the tournament’s No. 2 seed, is probably the best bet. The Vikings (20-4) won the 4A South Puget Sound League regular season title before winning the District 3/4 tournament, beating Graham-Kapowsin in the championship game.
Curtis isn’t the tallest team in the tournament, but the Vikings win with team chemistry, defense and hustle. Junior outside hitter Ella Ensign leads the team with 450 kills (4.5/set) and is the tone-setter for the Vikings.
“I hate losing,” Ensign told The News Tribune. “I just have a drive to win and be the best that I can be, lift everyone up and help everyone be the best they can be, push everyone to try their best. I want to win by a lot. Let’s get home fast.”
Middle blocker Rudi Reyes is the lone senior in the starting lineup for Curtis. She’s only 5-foot-9, which is a bit undersized for the position, but she can jump out of the gym.
“She’s a short middle but she sure has hops,” said Curtis coach Taylor Buell. “She really brings that leadership, calmness to the team, but also that quiet intensity.”
Freshman right-side hitter Ariana Medchill leads a talented group of freshman, who have made significant contributions. She has 175 kills on the season.
“She’s just our secret weapon that teams don’t expect,” Buell said. “They don’t camp on her and then she just shuts them down every single time. She’s really fun to have as another option on the court and I feel like teams cannot stop her. She’s been so successful for us and our secret little MVP in a lot of matches.”
Keep an eye on No. 4 Graham-Kapowsin, which opens the tournament against 13-seed Jackson. The Eagles have one of the state’s top players in junior outside hitter Hailey Brockway, who was The News Tribune’s All-Area player of the year as a freshman, when she was just 14 years old. This season, she leads the Eagles with 421 kills and is averaging 6.6 kills per set, which is the best mark in the state, per MaxPreps. Brockway’s power is enough to cause any team in the field problems and she’s good enough to lead G-K to the state championship game.
DIFFERENCE MAKERS FROM SOUTH SOUND TEAMS
Hailey Brockway, Graham-Kapowsin, jr. — Outside hitter was TNT’s All-Area player of the year as a freshman in 2019. Powerful hitter has a state-leading 6.6 kills per set. Leads Graham-Kapowsin with 421 kills on the year. Simply put, one of the state’s most dominant players.
Rudi Reyes, Curtis, sr. — Middle blocker is the lone senior in the Vikings starting lineup. She’s not the tallest middle blocker around, but her hops make Reyes an electric presence at the net. Has a team-leading 71 blocks and has added 190 kills.
Ella Ensign, Curtis, jr. — The most competitive player on the area’s top team, Ensign hates losing more than she loves winning. Leads the team with 450 kills (4.5/set).
Ariana Medchill, Curtis, fr. — Right-side hitter has 175 kills on the season. Vikings’ coach Taylor Buell calls her the team’s ‘secret weapon,’ who consistently makes plays while the focuses is on Ensign.
Kate Johnson, Olympia, sr. — Right-side hitter was a first-team all-league selection this fall in the 4A SPSL.
Hannah Byers, Olympia, soph. — Second-team all-league selection as a sophomore this fall, Byers is one of the team’s top threats at outside hitter.
Grace Peterson, Graham-Kapowsin, jr. — Outside hitter plays all the way around for the Eagles. First-team all-league selection has 130 kills on the year and is third on the teams in digs with 172.
Noelle White, Graham-Kapowsin, jr. — Right-side hitter has been a force with 65 kills for the Eagles. Second on the team on aces with 27.
This story was originally published November 18, 2021 at 5:04 PM.
