Lakeside Captures District 2A Crown

Lakeside volleyball took another big step Saturday.

Sophomore Jen Barcus had 18 kills and three blocks to lead Lakeside past Pullman 15-10, 3-15, 15-11 in the championship match of the District 7 2A tournament at East Valley High.

Lakeside, fresh off its first Great Northern League title, earned its first district title. The Eagles qualified for their first State 2A tournament last year. On this trip to Yakima, Friday and Saturday, they’ll try to improve on their third-place finish from 1998.

“I feel a lot better going in this time,” said Lakeside coach Kara Price, who will bring along seven state veterans. “Last year we were prepared but it was like, `Augh!”’

Newport, which began its GNL season 0-6, shocked Pullman 15-9, 15-17, 15-13 in the day’s final match to earn the No. 2 state berth. The Grizzlies, fourth place at last year’s state tournament when they had a senior-laden group, made it back to state with new coach Corie Isaacson.

Pullman hit the wall after nearly tripping up Lakeside in the title match. The Greyhounds led the third game 9-8, but Jackie Nuechterlein and Barcus combined to serve six consecutive points. Barcus had two kills and senior Bridget Ryan a big block during the rally.

“Part way through the third game I knew we were going to win because of the intensity level on the floor,” said Barcus, who was announced as the GNL’s most valuable player after the title match.

Nuechterlein, a defensive specialist, had to sub into the front row in the third game when middle hitter Katie Tikker had a bloody nose.

Christa Brossman served seven consecutive points in the second game for a 9-2 Pullman lead. The game ended on three kills by Amy Chamberlain.

“They deserved the second game, but I think we knew in our hearts that we could pull it out,” said Lakeside junior Katie Reome, the team’s other first-team all-league selection. Reome had 54 assists on the day.

Senior Dess Wendle had 38 kills on the day for Newport. The Grizzlies fought through three loser-out matches. Sam Almond served 15 for 15 when Newport opened with a win over Chewelah.

Frontier League representatives Colville and Cheney failed to qualify for state during the Region IV 3A tournament at Selah. Cheney lost to Hanford 2-0 in its loser-out opener. Colville dropped 2-0 matches to West Valley (Yakima) and Hanford. Selah, ranked No. 2 in the State Volleyball Coaches Association poll, and sixthranked West Valley qualified for next weekend’s State 3A tournament at St. Martin’s College in Lacey.

Emily Hall had six kills and eight digs in the championship match as Colfax defeated Freeman 15-7, 15-3 for the District 7 1A title at Mead High. Megan Doering and Lizzy Mellor added 10 assists apiece, and Joanna Baldree three blocks for Colfax. Colfax earned the district’s lone berth to next weekend’s State 1A tournament at Ellensburg. Colfax will make its seventh consecutive state appearance, and 11th in 12 years. The Bulldogs, state champions in 1995 and ‘96, were third place last year and fourth place in ‘97.

Davenport defeated Wilbur-Creston 15-5, 15-11 in the championship match of the District 7 B tournament at Cheney High. Davenport, top-ranked in the state coaches poll, qualified for its ninth consecutive State B tournament. W-C, the defending state champion, moves on as the No. 2 seed. Almira/Coulee-Hartline defeated Ritzville 15-4, 15-7 in the match for third and fourth seeds to state. ACH qualified for its first state tournament. State is Friday and Saturday at Eastern Washington University. Others in the field include Cedar Park Christian, Lopez, Clallam Bay, Shoreline Christian, Klickitat, Kittitas, Wilson Creek, South Bend, North Beach and Napavine.

St. John-Endicott defeated Garfield-Palouse 15-9, 15-17, 15-8 in the championship match of the District 9 B tournament at Pullman High School. SJE, ranked No. 3 in the state coaches poll, moves on as the district’s No. 1 to state. Sixth-ranked Gar-Pal earned the No. 2 seed by eliminating Touchet 15-13, 15-9 in a later match. Gar-Pal qualified for its first state tourney.

Football

David Tonasket and Chris Burch combined for 234 rushing yards and seven TDs, and Inchelium (7-2) defeated visiting Colton 56-34 in a non-leaguer that served as a State B-8 playoff tuneup for both. Tonasket and Burch also combined for 16 solo tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception. Inchelium’s Jacolby Simpson completed 8 of 9 passes for 188 yards, three TDs and no interceptions. Brian Busch of Colton (7-2) threw three TD passes. State playoffs begin in two weeks, with Inchelium at top-ranked Touchet (9-0) and Colton at Northeast B-8 champion Cusick (8-1).