Bothell sweeps Issaquah in conference finale, qualifies for state

By John William Howard • November 5, 2016 1:30 am
Bothell’s Gabby Kepley (8) and Sydney Cowan (10) go up for a block during the Cougars’ win over Mount Si in the first round of the KingCo tournament. Bothell won the tournament title on Saturday evening. JOHN WILLIAM HOWARD/Bothell-Kenmore Reporter
Bothell’s Gabby Kepley (8) and Sydney Cowan (10) go up for a block during the Cougars’ win over Mount Si in the first round of the KingCo tournament. Bothell won the tournament title on Saturday evening. JOHN WILLIAM HOWARD/Bothell-Kenmore Reporter

The season began with promises of a dominant run through the KingCo 4A schedule for the Bothell High volleyball team.

The Cougars delivered on those promises on Saturday evening with a sweep (25-22, 25-17, 25-23) of Issaquah in the conference title match at Bothell High School.

The win automatically qualified the Cougars for a spot at the Class 4A state tournament, making a return after finishing eighth in 2013.

Senior Alexa Torres, a recent all-conference first-team selection, led the Cougars against Issaquah with 13 kills on 29 attempts. Gabby Kepley had 10 kills on 12 attempts and Camille Gilmore had nine kills.

Issaquah beat Eastlake later on Saturday evening for state berth.

Bothell is scheduled to kick off its state tournament run with a match against Puyallup at 8 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Toyota Center in Kennewick. The Cougars have never finished better than eighth at the state tournament.