Bi-County Goes After Title Again

State B volleyball

The State B volleyball tournament appears to be shaping up as yet another Bi-County state volleyball tournament.

After Friday’s non-stop pool play on three adjacent courts in Eastern Washington University’s Reese Court, the three District 7 representatives from the Bi-County League scored a clean sweep, 9-0.

Wilbur-Creston, Odessa and Davenport all earned No. 1 spots in today’s eight-team main bracket that will lead to the trophies.

When the draw was randomly determined, W-C and Odessa found themselves in the upper side of the bracket headed for a possible meeting in the semifinals. Davenport was placed in the lower half.

W-C opens today’s play against District 9’s St. John-Endicott, another strong contender. SJE finished pool play 2-1, losing to Davenport.

For Odessa, this weekend’s tournament marks the return of the Tigers, who missed the cut in 1996 and 1997. Ken Scherr, who coached the Tigers to five state titles since 1985, has nothing but praise for his fellow Bi-County powers.

“Davenport … they’re short, they’re young, they’re talented and they’re well-coached,” said Scherr.

“Wilbur-Creston … they’re big, they’re talented and they’re well-coached.

“But we’re all beatable.”

The District 7 teams learned that last November when a BiCounty League team failed to make it into the finals for the first time since 1986. Last year’s finalists, champion Pomeroy and runner-up Tekoa-Oakesdale, failed to make it back to state.

However, a Bi-County team has won 17 of the 19 titles.

“I think we’re strong because parents put an emphasis on sports and we have a good fan base,” Davenport coach Pete Schweiger said. “Plus, they start in elementary school.”

And they finish at the State B tournament.

The skinny on size

There’s nothing small about the players in the tournament.

In the classification for the state’s smallest schools in terms of enrollment, there are nine players listed who stand at least 6 feet tall. Leann Coleman of Morton, Carrie Spencer of Napavine, Lyndsey Williams of Summit and Anne Bickelhaupt of Waitsburg all are listed at 6-2.

There are 11 players in Class 4A and Class 3A at least 6 feet tall, but only three and two, respectively, taller than that. The number goes down in classes 2A and 1A.

“The thing about the B-school level is that they’re a little further behind in their skills,” said Eastern Washington assistant coach Wade Benson, checking out the talent Friday afternoon. “But competitively, these kids are as competitive as anyone.”

However, there are questions.

“Can you train them to fit into the system? Do they have the motor mechanics, lateral speed and overall strength to be able to compete at the faster level?” Benson said.

Napavine’s Spencer said there’s one huge advantage of towering over the competition.

“In volleyball, when you’re tall, you have it made,” said the 6-2 middle blocker. “All you have to do is be able to jump and you’ve got a block.”

Spencer, a junior, who said she’s received basketball inquiries from Washington State, Washington and other Pac-10 Conference schools, won’t be putting up any big blocks today. The Tigers finished pool play at 1-2 and didn’t make it into the main bracket.

Quick hits

One of the best matches saw Napavine beat Summit 15-13, 11-15, 21-19.

“If you judge a match by how long it goes, I guess that it’s safe to say it was the most competitive, but we didn’t play very well,” said Napavine coach Tom Patrick about his team’s first state appearance.

Klickitat and Naselle were the only two teams that entered undefeated. Naselle made it to the main draw and will play Davenport. Klickitat was eliminated.