Resilient Scotties Bounce Back For Trophy

Consistency was the watchword when Freeman High volleyball players did their part during a brilliant weekend for area teams.

The Scotties earned one of 10 top-eight finishes by Spokane teams during five state tournaments that included three team champions and a runnerup.

By finishing sixth out of 16 teams, Freeman claimed it’s first state volleyball trophy since 1992 and the first as a Class A school since 1980.

“It just overall was a powerful weekend,” said Freeman coach Kenny Davis. “We had ups and downs. They were physically tired and emotions were spent. But the kids would not give up.”

State volleyball formats include play among four 4-team pools. Two teams from each advance into the quarterfinals.

Freeman defeated Darrington and University Prep on Friday, the former in three sets, before losing to Zillah for Pool C top seed.

“It’s all a blur,” said Davis in trying to piece the first day’s action together. “Against Darrington we came out really tentative, but came back in the second game hard. Then we pretty much dominated University Prep.”

The loss to Zillah, which ultimately placed third, forced the Scotties against Northeast A League rival Colfax to open Saturday. The perennial power Bulldogs won 15-7, 15-10 and went on to win the state title.

Freeman bounced back to beat Mabton before losing to Kalama in the match for fifth and sixth.

“We played Colfax extremely tough,” said Davis. “For the NEA to go in there and do what we did is a credit to our league.”

It was also a credit to the Scotties, who with a blend of experience and youth showed early promise.

The team beat Lakeland from Rathdrum, Idaho, to open the season. During the year they beat three 3A Washington schools - Cheney, West Valley and Clarkston - and three 2A schools, including state qualifier Newport.

Of the team’s eight losses, four came to Colfax and one to Davenport, both state champions. Two other losses came to State A tourney placers.

“The girls have to be very proud of that,” said Davis. “The more we played against better teams, the better we got and they didn’t back down from anybody.”

But he was reluctant to compare them to his previous teams, saying each squad develops its own personality. This year’s team set a goal to win every match and not worry about statistics.

“They just played hard all weekend,” said Davis of the state-placing performance. “They played pretty consistent all the way through.”

Freeman must bid farewell to five seniors who take with them much of the Scotties’ height. Seven players return, charged with carrying on tradition.

The NEA gets only one state berth next year, but if a regional format that has been agreed upon with the Caribou Trail League in other sports is adopted, it could make a return state easier.

“We’ll sit down and talk with the returners about what they wish to accomplish and see where it leads,” said Davis. “I hope the hunger remains.”