Oakesdale volleyball takes 2nd at State

YAKIMA, Wash. - Sporting no seniors, one junior and a single sophomore, the Oakesdale Nighthawks finished the regular season undefeated and made it all the way to the State 1B volleyball championship match.

Having defeated the Wilbur-Creston-Keller Wildcats, 3-1, in the last match of the regular season, the Wildcats were able to defeat the Nighthawks, 3-1, in the WIAA 1B State championship to win the State title and hand the Nighthawks their first and only loss of the season.

"I love this team, they're really great people and I'm excited I get to have them all back next year," said Oakesdale coach McKinzie Turner. "They gave it their all. They deserve every ounce of credit."

Oakesdale entered the State tournament as the No. 1 seed (the Wildcats the No. 2 seed) and first faced off against the No. 16 Liberty Christian Patriots (17-11 record) on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Oakesdale quickly dispatched Liberty Christian, 3-1, with set scores of 24-26, 25-17, 25-23, 25-15.

Oakesdale sophomore Grace Perry had four aces, 16 kills and 11 digs in the match. Freshman Megan Crider led the team with 40 assists and junior Bradyn Henley had three blocks.

On Thursday evening, the Nighthawks took on the No. 8 seed Northwest Christian Wolverines (18-7 record) in the quarterfinals. Oakesdale again won the match, 3-1, with set scores of 25-14, 20-25, 25-15, 25-13. Henley led the team with 12 kills and five blocks, Crider had 21 assists, Perry and freshman Lyla Kjack had four assists, and eighth grader Parker Davis had 10 digs.

The Nighthawks moved on to the semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 14 with a match against No. 4 Walla Walla Valley Academy Knights (17-5 record). Oakesdale won the match, 3-1, with set scores of 25-17, 19-25, 25-19, 25-21, to make it to the championship game later that night.

In the championship match, Oakesdale won the first set, but ultimately lost the next three to take second place at State.

Set one began with an ace by Davis and a kill by Kjack. Oakesdale quickly gained a 7-2 lead with an ace by Perry and a kill by Henley, assisted by Crider. The Wildcats pounced back and tied the set at 11-11, and eventually became tied again at 14 all.

Oakesdale gained the advantage with kills by Henley and an ace by Kjackto take a 23-18 lead. The Wildcats fought back and brought the score within one at 24-23. A kill by Perry, assisted by Crider finished the set and Oakesdale took a 1-0 lead in the match, winning set one, 25-23.

"That first set we came out strong," Turner said.

The Wildcats took a 4-0 lead to start set two before a kill by Kjack gave the Nighthawks their first point. Kills by Henley and an ace by Crider tied the set at 5-5.

The teams battled for the remainder of the set, tying each other nine more times until the score became 24-24.

A kill by Perry gave the Nighthawks the one-point lead, but the Wildcats came back and tied the set. Wilbur-Creston-Keller gained the next point and won set two when the Nighthawks set up a kill, but the ball went out of bounds. After the 27-25 win, the Wildcats tied the match, 1-1.

The Wildcats had the momentum heading into the third set and with an ace and a couple of quick kills took a 5-1 lead. The Nighthawks tried to ease the deficit, but the Wildcats were determined to keep pace with Oakesdale and won set three, 25-19.

Facing a possible first loss of the season with one more set, Turner told her team to keep playing as a team.

"I told them to just play for each other and play together," Turner said. "Push yourself and fight for it."

Set four began with the Wildcats taking a 6-1 lead on three aces by senior Kaidyn Maioho. The Nighthawks brought the score to within two on kills by Henley, assisted by Crider. The Wildcats found their footing soon after and slowly increased its lead until they led 24-20.

The final ball hit the ground on Oakesdales side and the Wildcats defeated the Nighthawks, 25-20, and won the State championship, giving Oakesdale a second-place finish at State to end the season.

"They gave it all they got from day one and no one thought we would make it this far," Turner said. "We're so young. We lost some really key players and just getting here is an accomplishment."

The Nighthawks finish the season with a 24-1 record, will graduate no seniors and will look to remain a top contender for the State title next season.