Lady Braves out in front of learning curve at big tourney

There was no test anxiety for the La Conner High volleyball team on Saturday.

The Lady Braves continued to stay out in front of the learning curve by making the grade at a big 2A-4A invitational tournament in Wenatchee.

La Conner, the tourney’s sole 2B entrant, placed second in the Silver bracket and was 10th overall after playing on better than even terms with programs such as Grandview, Eastmont, Chelan, and host Wenatchee.

“This was a true test for us,” Lady Braves head coach Suzanne Marble said afterward, “to see where we are at this point in the season and what we need to do to improve. It’s always a huge test to play the big schools, but I truly believe we learn a lot more by doing this.

“With two matches left in the season,” added Marble, “this couldn’t have come at a better time.”

La Conner twice defeated 2A Grandview in straight sets, split with Chelan in what Marble said was the Lady Braves’ best match of the day, barely lost to 4A Eastmont, 23-25 and 24-26, and dropped a two-setter to 4A Wenatchee.

“It was a tough battle against Eastmont that we just couldn’t finish,” Marble said. “And in the Wenatchee match they had a tough outside hitter, who we had a tough time with defensively.”

La Conner’s league foes, meanwhile, had trouble last week solving the Lady Braves.

La Conner swept both Orcas and Mount Vernon Christian, the latter on Senior Night Dig Pink Night before a large and supportive home crowd.

The Lady Braves, as has been their habit of late, controlled the league matches with efficient serving.

La Conner delivered 75 of 77 service attempts against Orcas. Libero Sage Burgmeier set the tone early behind the stripe, according to Marble.

“Sage led the way with her tough serving in set one,” Marble said. “That helped us get off to a quick start.”

Burgmeier was perfect on 25 serves, five of which were aces.

“It was a long day out on Orcas,” noted Marble, “but it ended with great results.”

The final line score was 25-4, 25-13, 25-10.

Justine Benson triggered the La Conner attack with 26 assists. Lindsay Lowry, Aubrey Swigert, and Ashley Watkins combined for two dozen kills.

Matty Lagerwey filled the stat sheet with four kills, 12-of-12 serving, and a pair of aces.

La Conner prepped for the Wenatchee tourney by sweeping MVC 3-0. The Lady Braves, benefiting from a deep and balanced roster, posted a 25-16, 25-9, 25-5 triumph.

Justine Benson dished off 21 assists to go along with five aces. Her sister, Joanie Benson, finished with six service aces.

Swigert produced nine kills, nine digs, five aces, and three blocks in a superb all-around performance.

Watkins reached double digits in kills, collecting 10, to highlight an outstanding effort at the net.

Lagerwey chipped in another three kills, while Burgmeier paced the defense with 17 digs.

Marble was especially pleased with the play of reserve Biruktawit Hasenbalg.

“She was a real spark off the bench,” Marble said of Hasenbalg, “with three aces and great communication.”

As a team, La Conner made a strong statement as the regular season winds down.

The Lady Braves, 10-0 in conference action and 11-1 overall, hosted Concrete late Tuesday. La Conner wraps up its NW2B slate Oct. 25 at Friday Harbor.

“The Wenatchee tournament,” Marble insisted, “was a great learning experience for us as we head into our last two matches of the league season.”