By MITCH TREESE and MICHELLE STEARNS
Cheered on by a record number of parents and other supporters, the Vashon High School girls volleyball team finished the season on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the bi-district playoffs at Kings High School in Shoreline.
The Pirates were eliminated in the first round in three games to a very disciplined Nooksack Trojans team, 25-19, 25-19 and 25-23. Kings, Nooksack and Lynden all eventually won the three team slots to the state tournament next weekend in Yakima.
The Pirates struggled early on in their three-game match against the Trojans with too many missed serves and out-of-court returns to recover. They continued to fight for every game point but could not sustain any of their leads or overcome the lost opportunities.
The Pirates fought hard for the lead in game three, but in the end the Trojans managed to control the ball during the last two points (25-23). Vashon senior Kala Wetzler cut the Trojans’ lead on several occasions with strong service points as the momentum changed from Nooksack to Vashon and back again.
There were some great kill shots by Shannon McGowan, Marika Treese, Margaret Gritten and India Everett. Treese and Carly Berry offered up a steady diet of stuff blocks at the net to counter the Trojans’ offense. Jessica Pirruccio, Karisa Gibbons and Devin Anderson were busy throughout all three games fielding and passing kill shots by Nooksack’s outside hitters. Katie Thomlinson kept spirits high in spite of the Pirates’ defeat.
Vashon finished the season with 12 wins and four losses. Coach Dave Plypick and assistant coach Karrie Hatfield congratulated the team on a great season of exciting high school varsity volleyball.
“We are really proud of these girls. They played hard and won many great matches during the season, including winning the Spokane Tournament. And they were able to get a slot in the 2007 District playoffs — that really shows their level of skill and ability,” said Plypick.
The Pirates look forward to another season in 2008 as the senior players, McGowan, Wetzler, Berry, Gibbons and Rose Gritten, will move on to new adventures after graduation.
Anyone interested in being a part of the team next year should contact volleyball parents Mitch Treese or Michelle Stearns at 567-5353.
— Mitch Treese and Michelle Stearns are volleyball parents.
