ACH volleyball playing at state
Courtesy photo<br> The ACH volleyball squad hopes to replicate a celebration similar to this one earlier in year, when they take part in the Class 1B state volleyball playoffs this weekend.
COULEE — They may not have a senior in the starting lineup, but the Almira/Coulee-Hartline volleyball team feels their youth is enough.
Following last year’s quarterfinal appearance the Warriors (11-7) hope to hold a repeat performance of it’s 2008 first-round 3-0 win against Lummi (7-7) in the rematch at 9 a.m. on Friday during the WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington/Les Schwab Tires 1B Volleyball Championships at the Yakima Sun Dome.
First-year coach Katie Stephens says her squad wants to equal and surpass its previous showing.
“There are at least six girls out of 11 that were at state last year so our goals were not just to make it but to place,” Stephens said. “They want to win games and are not just there for the experience.”
The Warriors claimed the state spot by capturing the Bi-County/Panorama District title with a 3-1 (27-25, 17-25, 25-20, 25-20) win over Sprague-Harrington in the final on Saturday at Northwest Christian School in Spokane.
Now coming off a strong district playoff, Stephens feels her squad is just starting to find its groove.
“In volleyball more than any other sport, momentum is huge, and we want to be right where we are at going into post season,” Stephens said. “A lot of it has to do with having girls injured and sick during the middle of the season and now everyone is back healthy and we are playing solid volleyball.”
The Warriors run a 6-2 offense with sophomore Madeline Isaak and freshman Mikinzie Ashley at the setter position. Both dealt 17 assists in the win over Sprague-Harrington.
The two have plenty of options, including junior middle blocker Nikki Osborne who had 16 kills, 15 digs and seven blocks to propel ACH to the district title.
“Nikki has shown all season she is most consistent on kills and digs which you don’t normally get out of the middle,” Stephens added.
Osborne gets plenty of help from junior outside hitter Sarah Gloyn, sophomore outside hitter Jordan Jones and sophomore middle blocker Hailey Peeha.
“The thing I love about this team is that we are well-rounded,” Stephens said. “We are strong in the middle, strong on the outside and are good in the back row. We are achieving a good balance right now.”
A win against Lummi could potentially propel them into a rematch with Klickitat, who ended title hopes for the Warriors in last year’s quarterfinals. The match would take place at 3:30 p.m. later the same day.
If they lose, they play Saturday at 9 a.m. against the loser of Klickitat and Three Rivers Christian game.
The 1B state final is Saturday at 7 p.m.