Lady Braves focused on another strong net campaign

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

That’s the mantra of the silver medalist La Conner High volleyball team, which despite the loss to graduation of six seniors — Skagit Valley College newcomer Kamea Luna, among them — is again part of the State 2B title conversation.

A big part, it turns out.

The buzz this time around is about La Conner’s power game at the net, one the Lady Braves unveiled during a whirlwind summer camp and tournament schedule.

“We have some big hitters and are looking to run a quick offense,” says Hall of Fame La Conner High head coach Suzanne Marble, who has guided the program to three State crowns during her tenure.

Last year’s State runner-up squad, which pushed Eastern Washington powerhouse Colfax to five sets in a tense and thrilling finale in Yakima, established a viable benchmark for the 2016 Lady Braves, according to Marble.

“Coming off an amazing final match-up with Colfax at State in the championship match and placing second,” Marble explains, “has only been a great motivator the past 10 months.”

So much so that Marble and the Lady Braves vow this will be a re-loading rather than rebuilding year.

“We lost a slew of talent,” Marble told La Conner Weekly News last weekend, “but we have a slew of talent coming back.”

The returnees include Matty Lagerwey and Aubrey Swigert in the middle, through whom Marble plans to run the La Conner attack.

Swigert is one of five seniors on the roster, joined by southpaw setter Ashley Watkins, penciled in to play on the right side; outside hitter Jayna Whited; defensive specialist Biruktawit Hasenbalg; and Lindsay Lowry, ticketed for an outside slot.

Also back is libero Sage Burgemeier, among the team’s most improved players, and one of two juniors who will see extended playing time this fall. Outside/middle blocker Madison Wilson is the other.

Lagerwey burst on the scene a year ago as a rare freshman impact player.

Twins Justine and Joanie Benson will be looking to duplicate that feat this season. Justine is a setter and Joanie is a right side/outside candidate.

“This group,” says Marble, “has worked incredibly hard in the off-season. The seniors ran workouts in the month of August to better prepare for pre-season. They have a focus and intensity that makes them better each practice.”

As always, La Conner has lined up a tough pre-NW2B slate. The Lady Braves host 2A Anacortes on Sept. 14. La Conner visits 4A Woodinville a couple weeks later, on Sept. 27.

Marble has also committed the Lady Braves to competitive in-season tourneys at Wenatchee and Yakima.

League rivals Darrington, Mount Vernon Christian, and Friday Harbor will pose regular season tests as well, she says.

Marble is confident her charges will be equal to the challenge.

“These girls,” she stresses, “are focused and ready to play. They are an incredibly caring group of young women, and I’m so incredibly proud of how our seniors have led this team thus far. They’re motivated to be the best.”

It helps that La Conner is strong at the net.

“We’re going to have big guns in the front row,” Marble says, “with a team that can hit and serve pretty tough.”

Still, neither she nor her players are taking anything for granted.

“We do have areas of growth,” Marble acknowledges, “and look forward to getting better each day.”

All the way to November.