Defending 4A state champ Lewis and Clark and Mead opened with wins in first-round matches Thursday morning at Toyota Center in Kennewick.

Click the tab below to read more. I'll update tonight with their second-round matches and my unedited story.

Here's a link to a feature Mike Vlahovich wrote about University of Southern California-bound Alex Olgard of Mead. She's in the picture above.

Here's a link to a look at the other state volleyball tournaments.

Greater Spokane League, district and regional champ Mead (29-2) didn't spend much time on the court this morning, dispatching of Tahoma quickly 25-15, 25-13, 25-12.

It took a game for Lewis and Clark (16-8) to get going, but the Tigers prevailed 26-28, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20 over Edmonds-Woodway.

Alexis Olgard led Mead with 14 kills, seven digs, five blocks and two aces. Setter Emma Barrington had 21 asists.

Janele Vogt led LC with 16 kills and eight blocks.

In the most entertaining opener, though, Auburn Riverside rallied to beat Richland 27-29, 36-34, 20-25, 25-20, 15-12. University of Montana-bound Brooke Bryad had 53 kills and setter Brooklynn Bradbury had 67 assists.

The 36-34 second set score came close to a tournament record. The record is 37-35 when Eisenhower beat Garfield in 2003.

 

---

---