Leopards eliminate Lady Cougars

CONNELL - After qualifying for the South Central Athletic Conference volleyball playoffs with a 6-7 conference record, the Warden Lady Cougars were eliminated from the postseason Saturday following a loss to the Zillah Leopards.

The Lady Cougars lost 25-15 in the first game of the loser-out match before rebounding to tie the match 1-1 with a 25-22 victory in game two.

While Warden rallied to tie the match, Zillah would respond and take the final two games of the match 25-20 and 25-8 to eliminate the Lady Cougars.

Warden head coach Jeff Kottong said his team didn't play as well as he had hoped.

"We didn't perform up to our expectations," he said. "We just couldn't quite get any rhythm. We were disappointed."

Warden junior Kacey Kisler led the Lady Cougars with six kills and two blocks and Kim McPartland added five kills and 15 digs.

Saira Martinez had 14 digs and Amanda Martinez led Warden with 18 assists.

The Warden Lady Cougars wrapped up their 2008 season with a 6-7 record in conference play and 7-10 overall.

Warded didn't advance to the state tournament, but Kottong is proud of his team.

"I was very pleased," he said. "We continued to improve throughout the year. We played well and we played as a team."

The Zillah Leopards would take third place at the district playoffs and advance to the 1A Washington Interscholastic Activities Association state volleyball tournament.