The Black Hills volleyball team, down to its last chance to punch a ticket to Yakima, did just that Saturday, taking down Tumwater 25-16, 29-27, 25-15 in a winner-to-State sweep in Longview at the 2A District 4 volleyball tournament.
“It feels good,” Black Hills coach Paige Walker said. “Our team has had this goal since the beginning of the season and I’m so happy that all their hard work gets to be rewarded.”
Ashley Harris had 15 kills at the pin, adding two blocks and an ace to her line. Setter Alex Loveless dished out 22 assists and also had a trio of aces and a pair of kills.
Libero Charlotte Michaud had a team-leading 13 digs, while Lily Bauer had nine digs, two kills, and a team-high four aces.
Black Hills started its run at the district tournament with a tough start, falling to Mark Morris in a sweep, but bounced back with six straight set wins — three over R.A. Long on Thursday to keep the State dream alive, and three more against the T-Birds on Saturday. Black Hills will be the only 2A EvCo team to make the tournament, joining district champs Ridgefield, Columbia River, and MM.
The Wolves are now due for their first trip to Yakima since the 2017 season. They’ll find out their exact seeding and first-round matchup Sunday.
“This group has been putting in the work since this summer with State in the back if their minds,” Walker said. “And they are playing their best volleyball this postseason, which is all you can ask for as a coach. We’re excited to get to Yakima and get another opportunity to play as a team.”
