North Creek High’s volleyball team reached the 4A state tournament in just its second year of existence on Nov. 16 at the Yakima Valley SunDome.
The Jaguars lost their first match to Richland, 3-0, and then the locals’ season ended with a defeat to Lake Stevens, 3-1.
Alisa Kim and Emmi Foltz received sportsmanship awards during the two matches.
“It was a really great experience for everyone on the team,” said senior Kim. “The level of play there was really high.”
Richland won 25-14, 25-20, 25-23, and Lake Stevens won 25-22, 19-25, 25-17, 25-19.
Against Richland, Kim was impressed at how the Jaguars kept the last two sets close against the eventual second-place finisher. She thought her team fought well in the first two sets against Lake Stevens.
Kim — who will play at Gonzaga University next season — said she’s learned to battle for every point during her high school career, which featured the Jaguars winning the 4A KingCo tournament this season and finishing with an 18-5 overall record.
“You just gotta have the drive to win, no matter the team (you’re playing),” she said.
At state, the seniors branched out in the hotel rooms so they could stay with other players and the Jaguars continued their dance-party tradition in the locker room before matches. It was an energetic time all around, Kim said.
The team set high goals this season and accomplished two out of the three in winning the KingCo tourney and qualifying for state; the Jaguars didn’t win the Wes-King District tourney, but played hard and were stoked to make it to Yakima.
Whether their matches consisted of three sets or went the full five sets, North Creek always put in maximum effort.
“We were very persistent all the way through,” Kim said.
Other team members were: Gabby Kepley, Jenna Howard, Allison Wilks, Remington Atwood, Sofia DeCoteau, Hannah Heikkala, Korynne Leon, Sara Fadely, Tyra Lewis, Mallory Swenson, MeadowRain Hay and Kalena Claveria. Head coach was Richard Abiador and assistants were Gail Cornelius, Karyssa Leon, Gregg Casad and Ally Bowles.
