The Bothell High School volleyball team did not start the state tournament on the right note. An early loss put the team into the consolation bracket, but the team fought back to place eight overall in Lacey, Wash. on Friday and Saturday.

The Cougars lost during the first round to Kentwood 3-1 on Friday. The team lost the first two games, 25-22 and 25-13, but found some momentum during the third game with a 25-21 victory. Bothell could not hold that momentum, losing the fourth game, 25-18. Cassidy Olcese led the defense during the contest with 21 digs, while teammate Reese Laufasa had 21 assists.

Bothell bounced back against Eisenhower High School with a 3-1 victory of their own. The Cougars wasted little time by jumping out to a 2-0 lead with 25-20 and 26-24 victories. Eisenhower stayed in the match with a 25-23 win, but Bothell pounded the ball for a 25-13 fourth-game victory. Individual stats were not available for this match.

The Cougars continued their overall momentum with a 3-1 win against Spanaway Lake, despite losing the first game, 25-23. The Cougars recovered to take the next three games 25-22, 25-16 and 25-21. Bothell was led by Laufasa with 42 assists and 15 digs, while teammate Karly Ernster finished with 30 digs and 13 kills. Hailey Crane led the team with 22 kills and five blocks.

The final match of the tournament for the Cougars saw the team from Bothell take on the KingCo rival Skyline, who they had lost to during the regular season, 3-0, while amassing just 38 points. Bothell improved on their regular season results but still lost 25-16, 25-14 and 25-20, scoring 50 overall points. Bothell was led by Laufasa with 18 assists.