T-O, Colfax capture titles

YAKIMA – Tekoa-Oakesdale completed its Class 1B three-peat on Saturday night, beating Christian Faith, 24-26, 25-12, 25-15, 25-16, in state volleyball play at the SunDome.

The Nighthawks are in elite company. As the first Class 1B team to win three straight, they join 10 other programs state wide across the six classifications to have won three titles in a row. T-O has won four of the eight titles since Class 1B began competition in 2006.

It was also a night of lasts for Tekoa-Oakesdale. Head coach Brandy Brown is stepping away from the program to spend more time with her young family.

“I can’t say enough about these seniors,” an emotional Brown said, wiping her eyes repeatedly. “They’re so humble and there is no drama or issues.”

The Nighthawks advanced to the title match with a convincing sweep of Mt. Vernon Christian.  

Almira/Coulee-Hartline (16-10) finished sixth, splitting two matches. Pateros eliminated Wilbur-Creston (18-8) in the 5th-6th consolation bracket. Sunnyside Christian eliminated Odessa-Harrington (18-10-1) in the 7th-8th consolation bracket.

East Valley fought hard against Tumwater, but saw their first state trip in 17 years end with a 26-24, 25-16, 25-21, 25-16 loss in the consolation bracket at Lakewood. Shalyn Stack led the Knights with 14 kills. Emily Sior added 36 assists and Elisha Allred had 12 digs and three aces.

Colville was eliminated by a five-set loss to North Kitsap. The Indians won the fourth game 25-23, but came up short in the fifth, 15-12.

Class 2B

Colfax regained what the Bulldogs view as their rightful place atop Class 2B volleyball, beating Toutle Lake, 25-6, 25-22, 25-14 in the state finals at the SunDome.

The Bulldogs (36-1) finished the season without a loss to a Class 2B opponent. The state title is the program’s 12th and comes after back-to-back title game losses and an uncharacteristic – by Colfax standards – third place finish in 2010 that ended a run of titles from 2004 through 2009.

Colfax won the first game behind a dazzling service exhibition by Taylor Larsen. After nailing a kill that gave the Bulldogs a 7-1 lead, Larsen stepped to the service line and reeled off 10 consecutive points using a nasty jump serve.

“That’s a good team we beat,” Colfax coach Sue Doering said. “I knew they weren’t going to quit.”

Colfax advanced to the title game again by sweeping Darrington in the semifinals.

Davenport’s hopes for a title shot at Colfax were dashed in the semifinals by Toutle Lake. The Gorillas (23-7) then saw a 12-10 lead in the fifth game against Darrington evaporate and lost to the Loggers in the 3rd-4th match.

Class 1A

Freeman and Lakeside both were defeated in the Class 1A semifinals on Saturday afternoon. Freeman later defeated Lakeside in the 3rd-4th place match.