Mt. Spokane volleyball team sweeps way into State 3A semifinals

KENNEWICK – The Mt. Spokane volleyball team didn’t arrive at the State 3A tournament with the idea of just making it to Saturday.

The Wildcats had plans on winning a championship. Judging by their start, why not.

Mt. Spokane pulled off two impressive sweeps, taking North Thurston 25-13, 25-22, 25-10 and finishing the evening with a 25-23, 25-19, 25-18 win over Squalicum at the Toyota Center.

Mt. Spokane (21-6) faces Mercer Island (21-2) Saturday at 1 in the semifinals.

It’s the third time in school history that Mt. Spokane will be in the semifinals. The Wildcats were second in 2009 and fourth in 2011 the other two times.

“It’s really cool that we have two schools from our district in the semifinals and it’d be so cool if we’re both playing at 7 o’clock (Saturday),” Mt. Spokane coach Dave Whitehead said.

The Wildcats were poised to put Squalicum away quickly until the third set. They found themselves down 9-1 and Whitehead had exhausted both his timeouts.

“I told them ‘reset. Let’s start over. Here we go’,” he said. “We don’t quit, that’s the one thing I’m very proud of this team. It doesn’t matter the score is they’ll play to the last point.”

Mt. Spokane fought back, taking its first lead at 13-12. The Wildcats controlled thereafter.

Miahna Waters led Mt. Spokane with 17 kills and 16 digs.

Watch Waters and there’s a good chance one will know how Mt. Spokane is faring.

A junior outside hitter, wears her emotions on her sleeves.

She finished with 19 kills and 14 digs against North Thurston.

Every time North Thurston seemed ready to make a run, Waters closed the door.

“Having a younger team, it’s been kind of hard,” said Waters, who has given Southern Utah an oral commitment. “We talked before and said that everything had to be laid on the floor and go for every ball as hard as you can.”

That message was received.

“Everyone that came into the game played their best,” Waters said. “Everybody supported everybody.”

Freshman Malina Ama added 14 kills.

Mt. Spokane shot out fast in the first set. The Wildcats opened a 13-5 lead.

After a short lull, Mt. Spokane took control and closed out the first set.

North Thurston showed life in the second set, hanging with the Wildcats. Tied at 20-20, Mt. Spokane got two kills from Jinna Brim to put the Rams away.