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BANNER NIGHT – The Herrera and Benson families enjoyed a senior moment at Landy James Gym Thursday night. They were honored as part of Dig Pink/Senior Night festivities during La Conner’s straight-sets volleyball triumph over Mount Vernon Christian. Sharing the spotlight, from left, were Kathy and Chris Herrera and daughter Morgan and Richard and Amy Benson and daughters Joanie and Justine. The three seniors were a big part of La Conner’s State title win a year ago and have picked up where they left off this season. – Photo courtesy of Suzanne Marble
The defending State champion La Conner High volleyball team extended its unbeaten league winning streak to eight matches with a straight-sets triumph over Mount Vernon Christian at Landy James Gym last Thursday.
But everybody came away feeling like a winner because the night was also an opportunity for the large crowd on hand to play a role in the fight to cure breast cancer.
Over $700 was raised during the Lady Braves’ annual Dig Pink/Senior Night Match to help give more women access to preventative care in the battle against cancer.
Gift baskets donated by team parents were raffled amid what was often a festive atmosphere, during which the La Conner pep band performed and seniors Morgan Herrera, Justine Benson and Joanie Benson were honored for their contributions to the school’s volleyball program.
“It was an amazing night,” La Conner head coach Suzanne Marble said afterward. “It was a wonderful celebration of our seniors and we had a great crowd on hand. It’s always a great match when we play Mount Vernon Christian because they travel so well.”
The seniors made their presence felt throughout the match.
Justine Benson ignited the Lady Braves’ attack with 30 assists. Joanie Benson delivered nine kills, nine digs and a pair of service aces. Herrera finished with 14 digs, five aces and four kills.
Their teammates filled the stat sheet, too.
Ellie Marble, coming off her selection as WIAA Athlete of the Week, chipped in 16 kills and seven digs.
La Conner libero Rachel Cram recorded 14 digs, while Katie Watkins had four digs and two kills.
Aubrie Sloniker and Emma Keller contributed five digs apiece, and Anna Jane Thulen had four digs and was four-of-four on serve receive.
Maya Masonholder and Sarah Cook were both flawless on eight service attempts.
The final line score was 25-11, 25-5, 25-11 in La Conner’s favor.
Marble was elated with the level of enthusiasm in the gym.
“It was an amazing show of support from our fans and community,” she said. “Also, a huge thanks to our parents for their generous donations of the amazing baskets.
“I also want to thank our band and (director) McKenzie Clark for their support,” Marble added. “It was the first time we’ve ever had a pep band at a volleyball game and they made all the difference. Our seniors felt honored.”
La Conner had swept Concrete 3-0 (25-6, 25-10, 25-9) earlier in the week behind Justine Benson’s 21 assists, 11 digs and five kills.
Ellie Marble (8) and Joanie Benson (9) combined for 17 kills, while Herrera notched nine kills and five digs.
Keller had five digs and four assists. Cook went 18-of-18 from the service stripe with two aces to go along with seven digs.
“It was a fun night for us,” coach Marble said, noting that the Lady Lions played better than the final score indicates. “Concrete is a much improved team and did a nice job defensively.”
La Conner, which visited Friday Harbor Tuesday afternoon, wraps up regular season play today (Wednesday) at home opposite Orcas Island. Action is set to get under way at 5:30 p.m.
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