A determined Enumclaw High volleyball squad would not be denied during the West Central District tournament at Auburn Mountainview, capturing must-win contests on the way to a No. 6 berth into the state Class 3A tournament at St. Martin’s University in Lacey.
The Hornets’ test begins at 8 a.m. Friday against always-tough Eastside Catholic.
Enumclaw, at 16-7 overall, raised a few eyebrows during Friday’s district play when it stunned a favored Wilson squad. The Hornets won the initial set 25-19, lost 22-25, then claimed sets three and four 25-16 and 25-12.
Enumclaw was then brought down to earth by Prairie, which won 25-17, 26-24 and 25-22.
“In a way we were motivated by being bumped over to the left side of the bracket, because that loss to Prairie pitted us in the next day’s games against teams that we had already played and beaten in Bonney Lake, Kennedy Catholic and Peninsula,” coach Jackie Carel said. “So we were encouraged by where that loss to Prairie left us, if that makes sense.”
Sure enough, Enumclaw’s first opponent on the ensuing morning was Kennedy Catholic and the Hornets stung the 15-2 Lancers 25-13, 25-15 and 26-24.
It was then on to a critical match with Peninsula and Enumclaw cruised to victories in the initial tandem of sets 25-17, 25-11. But Peninsula played with heart in the third set to win 25-18. Enumclaw then summoned its last bit of energy to win the deciding fourth set 25-22 and punch its ticket to state.
The Hornets fell in the seeding match to Capital 25-19, 25-20 and 25-23.
The Hornets welcomed the return of senior hitter Haylee Mae Dennis, who had 63 kills and 35 digs throughout the five weekend matches. Katie Holland and Hannah Morris combined to register 130 assists; Molly Collyer had 24 kills and 12 service aces; Danielle Saltarelli recorded 10 services aces and 15 stuff blocks; and defensive specialist Olivia Bannerot booked 45 digs.
