It’s graduation day
Unity is a volleyball mantra where the sum is more valuable than the individual parts. But eight seniors on Mead’s two-time defending champion state qualifiers have taken togetherness to extremes.
Their association goes back to elementary school, the year Mead won its first state volleyball title, when they worked as ball girls at the Spokane Arena and fostered a dream.
They became teammates on club teams as early as fifth grade and have played together on the same teams for the last six years.
Last Sunday they were together at the Arena again, screaming themselves hoarse at the Rascal Flatts concert.
Friday in Everett, the eight have a chance to add to their legacy. Another title and they would become the third 4A school to win three straight state championships.
“We do stuff together, shopping, concerts,” said one of the eight, Erin Norris. “It’ll be hard when volleyball is over. We’re so used to being together.”
Back in 1999, word of mouth brought the wide-eyed sixth graders into the Spokane Arena to work the state tournament.
“Since Spokane was hosting state and Mead was in it they asked us if we had girls who would do stuff,” said Panthers coach Judy Kight.
Kight contacted Cassie Dobson, who got the word out to the others about the opportunity.
“Judy was my very first volleyball coach,” Dobson said. “She knew that I went to almost every Mead game and one night asked me if I wanted to do it. I was friends with Megan (Thigpen), she called Jessica (Stebbins), and Jessica called Erin.”
The chain was formed, a bond that exists today.
“Seeing them (Mead) win,” Norris recalled, “from then on when I first started to play volleyball I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh, that would be so cool.’ “
Thigpen added, “I thought it was cool we knew them. We didn’t, but said we did. We wanted to be just like them, but you don’t think when you’re younger this is where you’ll end up.”
Fast forward a few years. Dobson, Thigpen, Nicole Solum, Mara Ryan and Amy Herron were all on the roster of Mead’s 2003 state championship team.
They were joined last year by Norris, Stebbins and Kaitlyn Farley for a second straight title.
All have contributed, whether with front-row power or back-row defense. Setter Herron, however, sprained her ankle last weekend in regional and is questionable this weekend.
“I’m very aware,” said Kight, “that they’re just studs and the best kids possible.”
Unbeaten Mead is making its seventh straight state appearance and seeking its seventh trophy. Kight would like nothing better than another title appearance.
“We hope we can carry on one more weekend, but there are no easy ones,” she said. “Everybody’s good at this point so it really is a challenge.”
The Panthers will be joined in Everett by Lewis and Clark. It is Julie Yearout’s first trip in her third year as head coach. She assisted Buzzie Welch with LC’s last state qualifier in 2002.
“Nothing was going to affect us,” Yearout said. “They are a pretty focused and driven group. This group has known all year long (they were state contenders).”
Mead’s seniors have known for years.
“It’s awesome being part of a successful program and knowing it is 12 players all working together,” said Stebbins. “It’s always kind of a dream I’ve had since I was little.”