Colton takes third at state with win over Odessa Tigers

Returning to the state finals after an absence of four years, Colton’s Wildcats pegged a 3-1 record in the SunDome at Yakima to finish third in the state 1B volleyball playoff Friday. The Wildcats defeated the Odessa Tigers in a trophy round which matched up the losers of the semi-final rounds.

Odessa was stopped short of the title by Oakesdale in the semi-round, and Colton was stopped by league foe Pomeroy

Colton took out Odessa in three sets, 25-15 25-22 and 25-15 to bring home the number-three trophy.

The Wildcats improved their passing game and their blocks in the trophy game against the Tigers.

Emily Schultheis had 11 blocks, nine kills and four aces against the Tigers, and Jordan Moehrle had six kills and 21 digs.

Abby Kelly put up 17 assists. Jose Schultheis had six kills, 10 digs and hit four aces.

Colton went into the trophy match after being swept by Pomeroy in the semi-final, 25-17 25-17 25-19.

The Wildcats put up a tough battle against Coach Jim Greene’s Pirates who failed to get rattled by Colton’s competitive bid to make it to the 1B title game at the dome.

Colton advanced to the Friday semi-final with two three-set wins on the first day of the tourney. They stopped Entiat in the opener 25-12 25-12 and 25-20.

In the quarter-finals they went past Sunnyside Christian 25-20 25-14 and 25-14.

Stat leaders for the ‘cats on the first day were Moehrle with 16 kills and 32 assists, and Emily Schultheis with 13 kills, nine digs, nine aces and 11 blocks.

Wins in the opener and quarter-final in the bottom bracket put the Wildcats up a against Pomeroy in the semi round. Colton did post a win over the Pirates in the regular season, but Pomeroy derailed them in their title bid Friday morning at the dome.

The Wildcats, who took the last ticket out of Walla Walla for the state entry, finished the season at 18-4.

See pages 6,7,8 for more

volleyball state coverage.