Gar-Pal volleyball to host district play-in

The Gar-Pal Vikings completed their regular season Tuesday night at Colton. Now they’re angling for a trip to Clarkston for the district tournament.

With a league record of 2-5 (5-8 overall), the team will get either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed to host a district play-in game at home Monday. Depending on their seed, they will play the No. 7 or 8 seed, which will be Rosalia or Touchet.

For the loser of Monday’s match, their season will be over.

The winner will advance to Clarkston for the district tournament Nov. 4.

“It kind of feels like we’re peaking at the right time,” said Gar-Pal coach Brad Rader. “We would love to get down to Clarkston.”

Playing at Colton Tuesday, the Vikings lost 25-16, 26-24 and 25-16.

Chandler Pfaff had 14 assists while Foster Marcus Nelson posted nine digs, Kenzi Wells had six kills and Cassidy Clarkson blocked four balls.

“We played really good tonight,” Rader said. “Colton just played better. They’re a good team.”

He continued to say that he sees opportunity for improvement.

“If we could cut out a half dozen mental mistakes then we could turn some of those 25-16 scores closer or possibly into games we win,” Rader said.

Last Thursday, Oct. 24, the Vikings played at Rosalia and won in three: 25-17, 25-22 and 29-27.

Pfaff led the team with 21 assists while Holly Brown had 10 kills and Nelson had eight digs.

“That third game was just a dogfight,” said Rader.