by Richard Uhlhorn
Chelan’s Lady Goat Volleyball season came to an end at Yakima’s Sundome on Saturday afternoon when they played for the 7th or 8th place trophy against Lakeside.
The Lady Goats won 11 solid games at the State Volleyball Championships and lost only two games to the eventual State Champions, Lynden Christian. The Goats brought home the seventh place trophy.
The girls won that match handily in three games 25-15, 25-23,25-11. Seventh place is not how they wanted to end their season, but because of bracketing, the Lady Goats faced the Lynden Christian Lyncs on Friday morning, losing in five hard, hard fought games, 20-25, 25-21, 26-24, 24-26, 7-15.
Sophomore Katie Rainville had 10 blocks during the tournament.
They had a chance to win the fourth game when they went from a 16-16 tie to a 19-16 lead. Lynden Christian came back to trail by only one point, 24-23, but Chelan couldn’t close it out and the Lyncs won 26-24 putting Chelan into a fifth game which didn’t go well for them at all and they lost 7-15.
Emma McLaren,#2 and Lexie Gleasman, #3 had a combined total of 133 kills during the State Tournament. Click on the images for a larger view.
This was considered by many to be the championship game. The complaint by many, including WIAA officials on the floor, reporters, parents, coaches and other fans, was why would two potential State Champions be pitted against each other in the first match of the tournament.
The loss in their first outing put Chelan in the consolation bracket with the only possible outcome being 7th or 8th place.
Freshman Libero Morgyn Harrison was 71/2 at the service line and dug out 27 balls during the tournament.
As disappointed as they were, the Lady Goats worked their way out of their disappointment and came back to defeat each team they faced in three games. First it was Kiona Benton who went down 25-15, 25-12, 25-19.
Bellevue Christian was a little tougher match but Chelan closed them out in three also 25-19, 25-18, 25-12 which placed them in the final trophy round for that 7th place which they succeeded in capturing 25-15, 25-23, 25-11. Lakeside was a very well disciplined team, but Chelan, who had defeated them earlier in the season, only had one game where they were challenged.
Sophomore Xitali Cruz combined for 72 assists and 23 digs during the tournament and had only one missed serve.
Senior Lexie Gleasman finished up her high school volleyball career 64 kills and 49 digs over the tournament play. In game one against the eventual State Champion Lynden Christian, she had 21 digs.
Lexie’s leadership throughout the season has led to the tremendous success this team has had in her senior year. The rest of the team are juniors, sophomores and freshmen along with Sierra Shively as the other senior on the team.
Tough on hitters at the line. From left to right are Katie Rainville, Lexie Gleasman and Elly Collins.
Emma McLaren, Elly Collins, Morgyn Harrison, Katie Rainville, Gracie Benrud, Leanna Garfoot, Xitlali Cruz, Casey Simpson, Bella Gatzemeier, AJGueller and Ally Williams will all be returning next year.
Leanna Garfoot #7, had a great tournament,
setting the ball for the team’s hitters 84 times
For the most part, these girls have been playing volleyball together since they were youngsters, and with the advent of Club ball and Sand Volleyball, they have all nailed down the fundamentals of the game from the front row to the backrow.
As Chelan (Coach of the Year) Coach Jenifer Rainville says. “We will return next year.” As a team, the Lady Goats ended the season with a 19-2 record. “We faceda very tough first round team,” said Rainville.
Chelan and Lynden Christian played what was arguably the best match of the entire tournament. Chelan lost two of the five games and went on to win every match from that point on in three games.
While the loss put Chelan into the consolation bracket, Lynden Christian went on to win the State Title. “We were the only team able to take any sets from the Lyncs,” said Coach Rainville.
“I want to thank the players for a great season, the parents and the community for all their support and our awesome green zone that continued to cheer us on all season,” said Coach Rainville.
Statistics
vs Lynden Christian – 20-25, 25-21, 26-24, 24-26, 7-15
Lexie Gleasman 16 kills, 1 block, 17/17 serving with 2 aces and 21 digs
Emma McLaren 28 kills, 17/18 serving with 1 ace and 16 digs
Elly Collins 10 kills, 1 assist, 14/14 serving and 17 digs
Katie Rainville 4 kills, 3 blocks and 1 dig
Gracie Benrud 2 kills and 2 digs
AJ Gueller 1 assist and 1 block
Leanna Garfoot 24 assists, 20/21 serving with 1 ace and 12 digs
Xitlali Cruz 23 assists, 15/15 serving and 15 digs
Morgyn Harrison 16/16 serving and 6 digs
vs Kiona Benton – 25-15, 25-12, 25-19.
Lexie Gleasman 12 kills, 1 block, 9/9 serving and 9 digs
Emma McLaren 8 kills, 12/12 serving with 1 ace and 4 digs
Elly Collins 4 kills, 5/7 serving and 1 dig
Katie Rainville 3 kills, 1 block and 1 dig
Gracie Benrud 1 kill
AJ Gueller 1 kill
Leanna Garfoot 19 assists, 14/14 serving with 2 aces and 3 digs
Xitlali Cruz 9 assists, 7/7 serving and 1 dig
Morgyn Harrison 23/23 serving with 4 aces and 8 digs
Casey Simpson 1 dig
vs Bellevue Christian – 25-19, 25-18, 25-12
Lexie Gleasman 19 kills, 15/15 serving and 11 digs
Emma McLaren 18 kills, 9/10 serving and 13 digs
Elly Collins 4 kills, 1 assist, 9/11 serving with 2 aces and 7 digs
Katie Rainville 2 kills, 2 blocks and 1 dig
Gracie Benrud 6 kills and 2 blocks
AJ Gueller 2 kills, 1 assist and 1 block
Leanna Garfoot 18 assists, 9/9 serving and 2 digs
Xitlali Cruz 21 assists, 13/13 serving and 5 digs
Morgyn Harrison 1 assist, 13/15 serving with 2 aces and 8 digs
Casey Simpson 1/1 serving and 1 dig
vs Lakeside – 25-15, 25-23, 25-11
Lexie Gleasman 17 kills 11/11 serving and 8 digs
Emma McLaren 15 kills, 1 block, 14/14 serving and 2 aces and 9 digs
Elly Collins 8 kills, 8/8 serving and 4 digs
Katie Rainville 3 kills, 4 blocks and 1 dig
Gracie Benrud 1 kill and 2 blocks
Leanna Garfoot 23 assists, 10/10 serving and 4 digs
Xitlali Cruz 19 assists, 8/9 serving and 2 digs
Morgyn Harrison 1 assist, 19/19 serving and 5 digs
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A big thank you to all of All Lake Chelan’s sponsors. Without your support, we couldn’t have covered this State Tournament.
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