Colfax volleyball champs bid farewell to 6 seniors

Wrapping up their sixth straight title year, the Colfax Bulldogs Tuesday bid a banquet adieu to six seniors who played a big part in powering the team through a 12-game sweep of the state tournament three weeks ago in Yakima.

Coach Sue Doering noted the Colfax net run to the title this year was an “amazing season and an amazing finish.”

Doering admitted at the start of the season she wasn’t sure this year’s team would get through the league and make it back to state, let alone get a state title.

Doering noted the Colfax state win, coupled with a title win by daughter Megan Doering’s SJE team marked a season finish she will not forget. Added to the honors in the dome courts was the engagement of Megan and Doering’s selection to the hall of fame.

Doering said she felt team members and coaches began to get an idea of their potential after they booked a ninth-place finish in the crossover tournament at Spokane. That served as a measure of how fast the team was improving.

The key for the state run was the showdown win over LaConner in the quarter-final round. She said when she saw the size of the LaConner players and their athleticism she had doubts about the outcome.

Colfax really passed up the Braves with their ability in the back court. She credited the Bulldogs with keeping their composure in the first game, and she could see LaConner lose some of their confidence in the second game.

Colfax was able to adjust tempo in the semi win over LaSalle and they kept right on pace when they defeated NE league foe Northwest Christian in the title game.

Doering noted over the run of four match wins at Yakima she never called a time-out.

Senior Kayla Johnson received the team MVP, inspirational, digger/passer and top hitter awards. Doering noted Johnson probably set a Colfax record when she put down 40 kills in a single match, against Newport. She averaged more than eight kills per game.

Rachel Johnson also took the top server award with junior Brooke Webber a close second. She also took the top setting honor.

Doering noted the Johnson cousins over the season developed their own synch communication for setting and hitting.

The Johnson cousins also received the team captain’s awards.

Shaina Simonson, a junior whose net skills played a big role at the SunDome, earned the most improved award. She was also named best blocker.

Senior Brooke Waldo won the academic award with a 3.92 grade average, and was also named for the coaches award.

Other seniors on the team were Carmen Hall, Danielle Hern and Megan Pearson.

All four juniors on this year’s team were named co-captains for next year. That includes Simonson, Maggee Cochran, Brooke Webber and Christa Nyholm.

Sophomore earning varsity honors were Misty Skelton, Lauren Moore, Samantha Pearson and Hannah Harazin.

Freshmen Amelie Bruya and Sidney Huber also received varsity honors.

Junior Varsity Coach Shawn Kneale presented team special awards to Carmen Hall, most inspirational; Maggee Cochran, top server; Hannah Harazin, most kills; Rebecca Hardie, most improved and co-captain and Rachel Robinson, co-captain. Samantha Pearson and Hardie shared the hardest worker award.

Also receiving jayvee awards were Lauren Moore, Misty Skelton, JC Wride, Taylor Lange, Amanda Drewer, Paige Mackleit and Ciara Becker.

Jill Solbrack, Colfax grad who returned to coach the C squad this year, presented recognition awards to Kaysha Lyman, Brooke Davis, Karlie Thompson, Cacey Hall, Katherine MacDonald, Taylor Cai, Maxi Ekert, Abby Muir, Denver Campbell and Emma Gingerich.

Managers Jared and Kindra Kneale were recognized for their service to the team over the season.