OLYMPIA — The Bearcats saw their season come to an end here at Black Hills High School on Thursday as they dropped back-to-back District IV volleyball matches to Columbia River and Mark Morris.
The Chieftains clipped W.F. West first with set scores of 25-13, 25-18, and 25-17. Alison Dreves led Columbia River with 11 kills and 15 digs. For the Bearcats Ashlyn Whalen lofted 17 digs while Paytton Crawfod dished 14 assists and Payge Crawford was perfect from the service stripe.
“We played them tough,” said W.F. West coach Emily Mora. “We just couldn’t finish”
Then, in their season finale, the Bearcats were bested by the Monarchs 25-19, 25-18, and 25-13.
Whalen notched four kills and 19 digs in the match while Paytton Crawford dished 17 assists and Payge Crawford passed 19 digs. Savannah Hawkins, Sydney VonMoos and Ava Olsen all turned in perfect serving efforts in the loss.
“We knew going into it that we needed to focus on the first game. I think if we would have brought the same energy that we brought against Columbia River that we would have been okay,” said Mora, who thought here team had a hard time rebounding quickly from the day’s first loss. “It’s just that when you get to the point where every single game can define your season you can’t have any regression moments.”
Mora called the losses a “tough pill to swallow” since she felt her team had been gaining momentum and proficiency down the home stretch of the season. That feeling was compounded by the fact that the team’s outgoing seniors represent Mora’s first class she’s coached all four years.
“It doesn't take anything away from what we’ve accomplished this season and how hard they worked,” said Mora.
