Bear Creek tips off state volleyball tournament on Friday

With a 15-0 overall record and league and district titles under their belts, Bear Creek heads into this Friday's state 2B tournament playing stellar volleyball. The Grizzlies will spring into action at 11:30 a.m. against Wahkiakum at the Yakima Sundome.

With a 15-0 overall record and league and district titles under their belts, Bear Creek heads into this Friday’s state 2B tournament playing stellar volleyball.

The Grizzlies will spring into action at 11:30 a.m. against Wahkiakum at the Yakima Sundome.

“It’s pretty exciting. The kids have just really worked hard and they’ve meshed together well,” said coach Sherrie Brown, whose team is making its fourth straight state appearance; the Grizzlies finished fifth, fourth and eighth, respectively, the last three seasons.

At districts, Bear Creek first defeated Darrington, 25-17, 25-21, 25-14, behind Michele Brown’s 28 assists, Makena Schoene’s 14 kills, Morgan Cadigan’s seven digs, Hannah Beighle’s five aces and Catherine Fernandez’s four blocks.

Bear Creek then won the crown by dispatching La Conner, 25-20, 20-25, 25-17, 25-19. Brown led the victory charge with 30 assists, Schoene had 18 kills, Fernandez had 14 blocks, Cadigan had 12 kills and 12 digs and Gracie Matthews had 11 digs.

“Makena has broadened her range of hitting and has really opened up our game,” coach Brown said of the senior. She added that her daughter and senior setter, Michele, along with senior Cadigan, junior Fernandez and senior Alyssa Jenson have provided a spark for the Grizzlies this season.

It’s been a memorable season, coach Brown said, from practices to matches.

“There’s not one practice I haven’t regretted being at. You go home and you know we worked hard and were really satisfied with what we’ve done,” she said.

Coach Brown feels that passing will be a key component to making a solid run at state.

“First contact has got to be good,” she said.

They’ve aimed to get better each match, the coach said, and now that the state tournament is in view, the Grizzlies have to be “firing on all cylinders” to succeed against Wahkiakum first, and whoever else awaits later in the tournament.