By Tom Rohrer
Friday began with promise for the volleyball teams from Capital, Tumwater and Timberline High School. All three schools began first round play in their respective state tournament brackets, each equipped with state championship aspirations.
These aspirations are still a possibility for Capital High School. However, Timberline and Tumwater will head into the consolation bracket in the 3A and 2A tournament respectively. Capital and Tumwater almost arranged a 2A semi-final match on Saturday afternoon after Capital defeated Port Angeles and East Valley Spokane 3-0 each on Friday at Pierce College-Fort Steilacom to keep the Cougars championship journey alive. Tumwater was able to defeat Washington High School 3-1 in the opening round of the tournament before falling to Sehome High School 3-1.
Had Tumwater won against Sehome, the T-Birds would’ve faced off against Capital this afternoon at 1 p.m. Instead, the Cougars will take on Sehome, while the T-Birds will face off against East Valley on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.
Tumwater has finished second the last two years at the 2A State Tournament. Capital will look for their first championship appearance since the 1994 3A State Tournament, where Capital fell to Selah High School.
Timberline entered the tournament undefeated and looked to improve on last season’s 0-2 performance at the state tournament. Friday did not turn out as the Blazers had hoped. Timberline fell to Holy Names Academy 3-0 at Saint Martin’s University and defeated University 3-1 in consolation bracket play at Timberline High School.
Timberline will face off against the defending 3A State Champion Prairie High School at 9:45 a.m. at Saint Martin’s. Timberline earned the 3A Narrows League and District III Championships and stand at 19-1 on the season.
