MLCA returns from State

YAKIMA - The Moses Lake Christian Academy (MLCA) Lions volleyball season came to an end Saturday after suffering its second loss in the 1B State Volleyball Championship Tournament held at the Yakima Valley SunDome.

The Lions lost their first round match to eventual runner up Colton in four sets (26-24, 25-15, 23-25, 25-16) and were bumped into the consolation bracket.

MLCA beat Klickitat in three sets (25-16, 25-13, 25-22), then lost to Sunnyside Christian in four sets (25-23, 25-20, 15-25, 25-21) and were bounced out of the competition.

Tekoa-Oaksdale was crowned State Champion, Almira/Coulee-Hartline finished fourth.

"We didn't place in the tournament, but we had a very successful season as were league champion and made the return trip to state," coach Dean Spurbeck said. "We started a very young team ... the girls learned a lot ... and were still improving up to the end."

Three Lions were named to the All-League Team this season. Senior Rachel Verhage, setter and middle hitter was named MVP, junior Susan Timofeyev was named First-Team setter, and senior Madison Yamane was named Second-Team setter.