YAKIMA – In the first round of the 1A state tournament, the Trojans lost their first set 25-18 against Charles Wright, but they came back to win the next three sets 25-17, 25-20 and 25-20.
Hayden Claeys ran the offense with 37 assists, and also tallied 10 digs and two aces, while Finnley Claeys stuffed the stat sheet with eight kills, 24 digs, four aces and a block.
The front line was superb once again with Jolena Hoefer registering 16 kills, Emry Claeys added 10 kills and Skyleigh James had seven kills with a .700 hitting percentage. They also each had a block, and Hoefer dug out 14.
Junior libero Avery Neal had 17 digs and served up four aces.
In the night cap, Meridian defeated Castle Rock in three straight sets, 26-24, 25-10 and 25-18.
Hoefer (14 kills and 10 digs) and Finnley Claeys (10 kills and 15 digs) each had a double-double along with a pair of aces. Emry Claeys and Jessica Pounder combined up front for 15 kills and three blocks.
Neal contributed 23 digs and two aces, and Hayden Claeys kept up her strong play with 39 assists and six digs.
The Trojans plays Chelan at 1:00 today for a chance to play for the state championship.
