Early in the school day on Friday, November 4, the Tahoma Bears Varsity Volleyball
team traveled to Kentwood to compete in the WCD 4A volleyball tournament. The day
started off with a match against long-time rivals, the Kentridge Chargers. The gymnasium
was ringing with deafening cheers and chants from students and parents of the many
different schools competing in the tournament.
Going into the tournament, players Megan Smith (11) and Taylor LaFranchi (7) commented
that on the team’s hard work and effort put in that season. “We’ve worked so hard
to prepare for this. I think we all feel confident that we can win.” Smith explained.
“We can do anything as a team if we just go in thinking that.” LaFranchi then added,
“We are all still nervous though! But, we need to all be positive and focused going
into these games.”
In the first game, the Bears faced strong attacks by the Chargers, but followed
up with tips over the net by Kylie Eager (15) and Miranda Grieser (1). Hits by Smith
helped keep the Bears in the lead, and a spike by Rachelle Frets (2), set up by
Grieser, finished the game for the Bears, final score 18-25. In game two, hits by
LaFranchi and Frets gave Tahoma a solid lead. However, Kentridge came back with
hard and fast attacks, and, despite ace serves by Smith and a terrific tip over
the net by Danielle Agoh (13), Kentridge claimed the victory, 25-27. Game three
displayed great blocks by Agoh, Frets, and Smith, as well as an outstanding attack
by Frets to put the Bears in the lead at 8-15. The lady Bears continued the precise
playing and beat the Chargers, 25-17. In the final game, Frets owned the kills,
slamming it down onto the Chargers side of the court to help give the Bears an unyielding
lead. Attacks by LaFranchi and Agoh, as well a tricky tip over the net by Grieser
led the Bears to a victory of 25-20. The Bears claimed overall victory of the match,
winning three of the four games.
STATE TOURNAMENT
The Bears’ performance in the district tournament earned them a spot in the State
Championships two weekends ago on November 11 in Olympia. The Tahoma Bears’ first
competitor of the day was Mead High school from Spokane, WA, the #1 team in state.
Tension was high in the pavilion as the girls took their spots on the court for
game one. Little did they know going into the game that they would be the only team
to play all 5 games against Mead High School.
In Game one, Mead started off strong with hard attacks, but Tahoma answered with
kills by Frets and Smith and solid blocks by Agoh. A tip by Eager after a long rally
provided Tahoma with another point; however, Mead kept the lead, 18-12. Two more
outstanding hits by Frets and a block by Agoh helped the bears climb up 16 points,
but Mead took the win, 25-16.
With continued focus, the girls dove into game two fearlessly. Amber Thompson (3)
provided Tahoma with consistent, solid serves, and Frets continued with nearly perfect
attacks. Smith and Agoh took on the net together, blocking what seemed to be everything
that came their way. Tahoma found themselves in a well-deserved lead, 14-7. Tahoma’s
determined playing began to break down Mead, and it showed when Mead hit the ball
out of bounds in two different plays and were unable to block attacks by Frets.
Mead hit it out of bounds for a third time, giving the win to Tahoma, final score
25-22.
In game three, The Bears carried on their determined attitude, attacking the ball
and staying tight on the net for blocks. Grieser’s precise serves earned Tahoma
an early lead, 4-2. A short, quick set by Grieser and a powerful attack by Agoh
made the Tahoma fans go wild, and an attack by Michaela Pannone (9) shortly after
kept them cheering. Mead tried to kill the ball several times but was stopped unmercifully
by Agoh and Eager, who did not let anything by them without a fight. The Bears won
the third game, 25-21.
The focus on the court was suddenly intensified more so than it had been when game
four began. Mead stepped it up with intense spikes, leading 15-4. Frets showed skill
on the net, blocking Mead’s attempts at a kill. Hits by Smith and Frets kept Tahoma
close in the game, but Mead gained a larger lead and won the game 25-13.
In the final game, Smith started things off with an attack and a block on the net,
sending Mead a message: That Tahoma was not about to step down. With loud support
from the parents and fans, Tahoma continued on valiantly. Thompson continued her
ace serves, and Frets got another kill. The bears kept focused and showed amazing
teamwork, but they ended up losing the final game, 9-15.
As the girls cleared the court with a feeling of defeat, the parents, fans, and
coaches were there to remind them that they had played an incredible game against
a tough team, taking them to game 5. The Bears performed outstandingly and had a
reason to hold their heads high as they walked off the court. Tahoma High School
and Maple Valley are pleased to have had this opportunity for our volleyball team
to make it to State and play such an inspiring game. Well done, Lady Bears!
