Volleyball 2010-11-03 WESCO 3A tournament

Half of the WESCO 3A volleyball state play-in bracket took place at OHHS last Wednesday. Four teams came to play - Oak Harbor, Glacier Peak, Ferndale and Everett, in a 2-match double elimination tournament. Of the 4 teams, one was guaranteed a trip to the first round of the state tournament.

In the field house, Ferndale defeated Everett 3-1 to meet the winner of the OH-GP match. Oak Harbor met and beat the Grizzlies twice this year, the last meeting just last week where the Wildcats swept the match 3-0.

That wasn't going to happen again. The first game was back and forth the entire way, with neither team ahead by more than 2 points and the game tied numerous times. In the end it was Glacier Peak with a block to win 25-23.

The score was reversed in game 2 with Roshel Muzzall getting the kill for the win.

The Wildcats went down 19-25 in game 3, coming back from 16-23 but never really getting their rhythm.

Down 2-1 and with their backs against the wall, Oak Harbor dug in, and after a slow start, grabbed a 10-9 lead on a Muzzall kill and building their lead to 24-15 after a Christina Alexander ace. Glacier Peak started to catch up but a kill by Janine DeGuzman put the game away 25-19.

In the final game, Oak Harbor spotted GP a 7-3 lead, but starting with a Kristine Bouchard solo block, the Wildcats chipped away with the freshman, Kayleigh Harper, tying the match at 11 with a kill. GP took the lead back 12-11, but a lift call and two hitting errors put the Wildcats at match point. Kelsey Terrazas-Cooley went back to the line to serve, the ball sailed across the net and was shanked to the side by the Grizzlies, giving OH at 15-12 win, a 3-2 match victory, a trip to the 2nd day of the tournament and a match against Ferndale in 15 minutes for a trip to state.

Oak Harbor fully expected to play against Everett for their 2nd match, so weren't fully prepared for Ferndale. The Wildcats were drained after the emotional match against Glacier Peak but fought hard. Game 1 was close early then Ferndale went on a 4-0 run to take a 15-10 lead then held game point at 24-18. Oak Harbor didn't go quietly, taking advantage of Ferndale errors to close it to 24-21, but that was it as Ferndale won the first game 25-21.

Game 2 was all Ferndale as the Golden Eagles built a commanding 21-9 lead and won the game 25-15.

In game 3, Ferndale held a 15-11 lead but a kill by Katelyn Bristow and a kill and ace by Muzzall closed the gap to 14-15, and later a kill and block by "Big Blue" Amanda Blau put the Wildcats ahead 19-18. Unfortunately it didn't last long as on the next play the Wildcats were uncharacteristically called for a double hit on the set. Ferndale then took the lead on an overpass kill and won 25-20, winning the match 3-0.

The Wildcats aren't out yet at they travel to Glacier Peak on Saturday to continue the tournament. The girls start at noon against Mt. Vernon, who lost to Shorewood and beat Mountlake Terrace. WHEN the girls win that match, the play the winner of the Glacier Peak/Shorewood match at 2pm, with the winner going to state.

A combined video clips with highlights from both matches are posted HERE, including Kelsey's match point service ace in the Glacier Peak match.

A total of 62 photos covering both matches are posted HERE.