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BEST TEAM IN THE STATE, AGAIN! – Saturday the La Conner High School volleyball team came back from Yakima with the same trophy they brought home a year ago. Way to go and congratulations! From left: Pam Keller (coach), Aubrie Sloniker, Maya Masonholder, Rachel Cram, Anna Jane Thulen, Emma Keller, Morgan Herrera, Katie Watkins (behind Justine to the right of Morgan), Justine Benson, Sarah Cook, Joanie Benson and Hannah Cook. Back row, Makayla Herrera, Ellie Marble, Suzanne Marble (coach, behind Morgan). – Photo courtesy of Kathy Herrera
Everyone loves a winner.
That was the case here this week as La Conner High volleyball fans turned out in droves to support the Lady Braves in Yakima and then welcomed them back home after they captured their second in a row and fifth State championship in program history.
“I have to say that in my past 25 trips to State we’ve never had a crowd quite like this,” said La Conner head coach Suzanne Marble, who has been at the helm for all five State titles.
A chaperoned rooter’s bus carried 40 students to the State 2B Tournament in the Sun Dome, a 400-mile roundtrip.
“It was pretty amazing to see a sea of blue during the tournament,” Marble told the Weekly News, “and especially during the semifinals and finals.”
That sea of blue, marked by a continued wave of enthusiasm, was just as present downtown upon the team’s return home Saturday afternoon.
La Conner Athletic Director Kathy Herrera had gone to First Street to alert folks when the team bus would be driving through, then organized a welcome home celebration that followed on campus.
“There were a lot of people there,” Herrera said, “and the girls truly enjoyed having everyone at the school when they arrived. It was a great way to welcome our girls home.”
Marble and assistant coach Pam Keller, along with La Conner athletic director Kathy Herrera, have daughters on the team. All were hoping to close out a second straight undefeated season and state championship run.
They did, losing just one set in Yakima.
“I told Pam we don’t want to disappoint our fans,” said Marble, “and I’m pretty sure our fans were really excited about what they saw.”
The La Conner coaches credited Herrera, adult chaperones and school district officials with making the dream of a state Tournament rooter’s bus a reality.
Herrera said the Lady Braves, who have gone unbeaten in 40 regular season and playoff matches over the past two years, left nothing to chance in their quest to win back-to-back State crowns.
“Our volleyball team has worked hard throughout the season,” she said. “Suzanne has built an extremely strong program. The amount of time and energy she gives to creating a championship team is amazing.”
She said she is appreciative both as an athletic director and parent.
“Watching both of my girls play together this past weekend,” Herrera said, “was one of the best feelings.”
That and seeing La Conner fans bond with the team.
“I am so amazed with the La Conner community,” said Herrera, whose family moved here from southern Colorado two years ago.
Marble echoed those sentiments.
“It’s pretty darn amazing to be part of such a supportive community,” she said.
In related notes:
• La Conner, Brewster, Mossyrock and Northwest Christian each had coaches with daughters on their respective teams.
• Freshman Ellie Marble now joins her older sister, Carlee, who played on the 2006 La Conner High title team, in having been part of state championship lineups with the Lady Braves.
• La Conner teacher Aly Sehlin was a member of La Conner’s first state championship team in 2002 and continues to support the program as its middle school coach.
• La Conner alum Cora Kellerman, who played on two state winners and a pair of runner-up entries, is now a professional beach volleyball player in southern California.
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