Colfax places 8th at State volleyball

YAKIMA, Wash. - The Colfax Bulldogs are bringing home some hardware as they took eighth place at the WIAA 2B State volleyball tournament on Thursday, Nov. 14.

The Bulldogs went 2-2 at the tournament and exceeded expectations as they entered the tournament as the 13th seed. They finished the season with an 11-14 record.

"Wow, what a season," said Colfax coach Megan Dorman. "They surpassed all my hopes for them and I have loved every minute of it. They are an enjoyable group to coach."

Colfax opened the tournament with a match against the No. 4 seed Mossyrock Vikings (13-8 record). The Bulldogs took the Vikings to extra points in the first set, but ultimately Mossyrock defeated Colfax, 3-1. Set scores were 27-25, 25-20, 18-25, 25-20, sending Colfax to the loser-out bracket.

The Bulldogs next faced the No. 12 seed Tonasket Tigers (15-9 record). Colfax swept the Tigers, 3-0, with set scores of 25-12, 25-18, 25-18.

Needing one more win to at least get a trophy, the Bulldogs took on the No. 9 seed Tri-Cities Prep Jaguars (15-10 record). The match was a heated battle as it required five sets, and the fifth set went to extra points.

The Bulldogs defeated the Jaguars by set scores of 25-21, 17-25, 25-20, 16-25, 17-15, , sending Colfax to the 7th/8th-place match.

Colfax faced the No. 11 Davenport Gorillas for their final match of the tournament. The Gorillas beat the Bulldogs, 3-0, with set scores of 25-19, 25-23, 25-21, giving Colfax the eighth-place finish at State.

"How much they love each other and get along led to trust on the court playing together and working together, "Dorman said. "That's kind of the glue that helped us during districts and the glue that helped us fight all the way to the end in this match (against Davenport) too."

Senior outside hitter Ava Swan finished the tournament with 76 kills, 46-for-49 serving with four aces, 65 digs and 19 blocks. Fellow senior setter Brenna Gilchrist had 11 kills, 92% serving with six aces, 110 assists, 37 digs and seven blocks. Senior middle blocker Karly Wigen had 10 kills, 12 digs and five blocks.

Junior defensive specialist Cianna Gibb finished with 10 kills, 55-for-57 serving (96%) with six aces, 34 digs and five blocks. Fellow junior setter/libero Isabella Huntley went 40-for-41 serving (98%) with two aces and 68 digs. Junior outside hitter Ruby Simmons had 16 kills, 37-for-41 serving (90%) with four aces, 49 digs and four blocks.

Sophomore outside hitter Avery Andrus had 14 kills, nine aces and 53 digs.

Colfax will graduate seniors Swan, Gilchrist, Wigen and Marchele McNeilly. Juniors Gibb, Huntley, Simmons and Ainslee Imler will look to lead the team next season.

"I am very proud," Dorman said. "This team, how they stuck together, the captains have done a great job leading and continuously pulling them back together. All the seniors worked so hard to make it an enjoyable season and make the girls keep working hard."