Capital clinches WCC's top seed in volleyball

HIGH SCHOOLS: Ross helps Cougars sweep North Thurston

The Olympian | • Published October 28, 2009

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The Capital volleyball team wrapped up the Class 3A Western Cascade Conference's top seed with a 25-9, 25-11, 25-16 sweep of North Thurston late Monday night in Lacey.

The match was the regular-season finale for both teams. The playoffs begin next week.

“We’ve had our ups and downs this season,” Capital coach Natalie Zukowski said. “But tonight, we showed that when we play as a team, we’re really good.”

Capital and Timberline, which defeated Yelm on Monday night, finished with identical league records of 5-1 and split their season series. But because Capital defeated Timberline in fewer sets, the Cougars earned the No. 1 seed for the second consecutive year.

Junior Kristyn Ross had 18 kills, seven digs and two blocks to lead Capital. Gabi Vega dished out 27 assists, and Natalie Christopher had six blocks.

“I like that everyone is contributing, not just a few players,” Zukowski said. “Everyone is stepping up their game.”

North Thurston was led by Kelly Joiner’s five kills and Taylor Stoeckle’s 5-for-5 serving and six digs.

Capital will host North Kitsap, the Olympic League’s No. 1 seed, at 6 p.m. on Nov. 3 in a subdistrict match to determine the top two seeds for the 3A West Central District III tournament.

For North Thurston, a third-place finish in the league and playing a crossover game on the road is nothing new. The Rams also finished third last season, when they upset second-seeded North Kitsap to get into the district tournament. The Rams will play at second-seeded Olympic at 7 p.m. on Nov. 4.

“I do like the fact that everyone in postseason is 0-0,” North Thurston coach Micah McBride said. “It’s a chance for us to go prove ourselves.”

Timberline 3, Yelm 0: Eighth-ranked Timberline (12-2) swept Yelm, 25-8, 25-16, 25-8, in the regular-season finale to secure the WCC’s No. 2 seed into next week’s subdistrict tournament against the Olympic League.

Timberline’s lone loss in league play came against Capital.

“We’ve been playing consistent all season,” Timberline coach Krista Manke said.

Manke also praised her players’ improvement in serving against the Tornados.

Taryn Smith and Alyssa Kellar combined for 20 kills and 16 digs. Setter Gatalina Schuster had a solid all-around game with 19 assists, eight digs, three serving aces and three kills.

Manke also brought up two junior varsity players to get experience as the Blazers look toward the playoffs.

Timberline will host the No. 3 team from the Olympic Western League – Port Angeles – in the teams’ subdistrict match at 6 p.m. on Nov. 3. The loser of that match will be out of the playoffs, and the winner will advance to the Class 3A district tournament in Auburn Nov. 7.

Olympia 3, Shelton 0: For the second straight year, Olympia concluded its regular season with a perfect 10-0 mark in Narrows League play. The Bears, ranked third in Class 4A, swept Shelton, 25-10, 25-10, 25-16.

Olympia, the No. 1 seed out of the Narrows League, and No. 2-seeded Gig Harbor will both host first-day matches in the eight-team league tournament Thursday. Olympia will play Shelton, the No. 8 seed, at 5:30 p.m., and Bellarmine will face Stadium at Olympia.

The winners of Thursday’s matches will play at noon Saturday at Mount Tahoma for the right to play in the league championship match at 5 p.m. The losers of Thursday’s matches will play at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.