Win Or Lose, State-Bound Freeman, Valley Christian Have Great Seasons

State volleyball is old hat for Freeman, but Valley Christian School will be testing new ground when the two schools compete this weekend in their respective tournaments.

The Scotties are making their sixth trip in Kenny Davis’s 16 years as coach to the State 1A tournament in Ellensburg. It is the first State B volleyball tournament in school history for the Panthers.

Valley Christian lost only four matches during the regular season, but all four came in the tough Bi-County League, resulting in a harrowing state journey.

“We’ve squeaked in everywhere we’ve gone,” said Valley Christian coach Carmen DeVries.

Valley Christian was the sixth and final qualifier for the Bi-County tournament, the fourth and final qualifier to District 7 B tourney play and finished fourth there for the final berth to state.

Freeman, 19-5 for the season, is the Northeast A League’s No. 2 representative to state behind perennial placer Colfax.

“Like (former superintendent) Harry Amend once said,” said Davis, “anytime you go to state it’s a great place to end the season.”

Newcomer solidifies Panthers

Six returnees gave Valley Christian hope, but it was the addition of junior Brandi Nunnally that put the Panthers over the top.

Nunnally, a transfer from Central Valley, has three years of club volleyball experience and was able to teach as well as play, said DeVries.

“I think I can sometimes have input and help the team out a little bit,” said Nunnally.

Veteran setter Sarah Teterud, explained that Nunnally brought a bigger perspective to the team.

“Most of us play the sport just because the school has it,” she said. “We’ve learned a lot more about techniques.”

Nunnally’s arrival also helped the team by putting her opposite last year’s standout middle Carli Smith. It allowed the Panthers to always have a powerful hitter/blocker in the front row.

“When I get done slamming,” said Nunnally. “Carli comes up and it’s her turn. It’s nice to have two people like that.”

Joining the trio in the lineup have been seniors Kristen Lanker, Nicole Peterson and Julia Makhanov, junior Kasi Gochnauer, and sophomores Kasie Cupp and Jenae Monforton.

“One of our goals as seniors - there are four of us - is to go to state in every single sport,” said team inspirational leader Teterud. Last year the Panthers placed at state in basketball and in track. They’ve gotten off to a good start this year by qualifying in volleyball.

“It’s pretty exciting to have the girls see success in all they do. It was a confidence builder for volleyball,” said DeVries, whose team several times rallied from the brink to win matches. “I kind of stand back and am amazed sometimes. We squeaked in, but here we are.”

New faces produce familiar result

Remember two years ago, when Kelsie LaShaw and Tiffany Hornbeck qualified for national Junior Olympics sand volleyball?

The two are now freshman at Freeman High and among a host of new faces who are helping the Scotties make their latest state appearance.

“Our match philosophy all year is that there are no statistics, just win,” said Davis. “We do run things fast and when we get our passing in it’s pretty exciting to watch.”

Senior Lindsay Floch, one of four veterans, moved from middle to outside and sophomore Emily Hendrickson became Freeman’s middle blocker. They lead the team in kills and blocks respectively.

Sophomore setter Jenna Thomas is averaging 10 assists a game. Senior veterans Kristi Larson and Leslie Yunker have provided stability for the new players.

Among them are versatile senior Annie Morphy and back-row senior Heidi Tibbetts, juniors Shellea Dahmen, Alisha Miller, sophomore Holly Rinaldi and the freshmen.

“I think the girls know that, hey, they’re ready to do something at state,” said Davis. “They know that as soon as they’re done with one game they have to put on their game faces right away and concentrate on another.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYING FRIDAY At state

Freeman plays Darrington at 10 a.m., University Prep at 3 p.m. and Zillah at 6 p.m. on Friday in the State A tournament at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.

Valley Christian plays Klickitat at 9:30 a.m., Wahkiakum at 3:30 p.m. and Snohomish County Christian at 6:30 p.m. on Friday in the State B Tournament at Eastern Washington University in Cheney.