Meridian Advances to State – Other Teams Still Alive

CLASS 1A

Blaine and Lynden Christian faced each other in a consolation round match, and the Lyncs were able to keep their season alive by defeating the Borderites in three straight sets. Blaine’s season came to end, despite an extremely hard-fought third set that went into overtime.

Next came the 1A District Championship match between top-seeded Meridian and second-seeded Nooksack Valley. The Pioneers beat the Trojans in the regular season, but Meridian finished with a better overall conference record, and this was a classic rematch.

The Trojans took the first two sets, 25-16 and 25-20, and Nooksack Valley came back to win the third set 25-17. Meridian then took the fourth set 25-22 to clinch a state berth and the District Championship.

The serving and defense by junior Rylan Bernardy was a huge factor as she totaled five aces and 25 digs. Junior setter Grace Wells dished out 37 assists which benefited senior Emry Claeys and freshman Eden Bernardy who combined for 31 kills.

Sophomore Gracie Pap also finished with a season-high six blocks on the evening.

Nooksack Valley senior Juliana Gimmaka finished with 27 digs, while seniors Lainey Kimball and Tana Hoekema combined for 30 kills to lead their team.

The Pioneers will face the Lyncs at Meridian High School on Thursday at 7:00 to determine the second state berth from the district.

CLASS 2A

The 2A district tournament continued last night at Squalicum High School with the semifinal round which saw Burlington-Edison defeat Sehome in five sets, including an intense final set that ended with the Tigers winning 18-16.

The Mariners were led by junior Maddie Behrends who had 11 kills and two blocks. Freshman Paige Flory had nine kills, and junior setter Emmy Lee contributed with seven of her own, along with two aces.

The serve receive team of seniors Audrey Aarstol and Molly Burfeind, and sophomore Makenna Andrews, kept Sehome alive all match.

The Mariners are still alive, and they will face Anacortes at Squalicum High School on Thursday at 6:00. The Seahawks eliminated the Storm in three sets at home to remain alive in the tournament.

Despite dropping the first set 25-20, Lynden came back to defeat Archbishop Murphy 25-16, 25-12 and 25-16 in the other semifinal match which puts the Lions into the District Championship match against Burlington-Edison.

Lynden was led by its core group of seniors as Ashley Shumate and Haylee Koetje combined for 26 kills and 26 digs. Grace Rice ran the offense with 33 kills to go along with her seven kills and seven digs, and libero Mya VanderYacht had 20 digs.

The Lynden/Burlington-Edison match will take place tonight at Squalicum High School at 6:00.

Bellingham also found a way to stay alive be eliminating Lakewood on the road in five grueling sets. The Bayhawks will now face Archbishop Murphy at Squalicum High School on Thursday at 4:30.