Undefeated La Conner netters capture league crown

The two-time defending state champion La Conner high volleyball team made the most of a season shortened due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns.

Not only did the Lady Braves play four matches in five days during the last week of the month-long campaign, but they did not drop a single set.

While capturing the league title in an undefeated season, La Conner did not lose a set in any of its 10 NW2B matches.

The Lady Braves put an exclamation point on their modified 2021 spring schedule Saturday afternoon with a statement win over Mount Vernon Christian, crafting a 25-19, 25-15, 25-8 triumph before a large crowd at Landy James Gym.

“It was a great way to end the season,” La Conner head coach Suzanne Marble said afterward. “To play against Mount Vernon Christian, our nearby rival, in a match where everybody contributed, it couldn’t have been a better situation.”

Ellie Marble paced the victors with 23 kills and 11 digs. The sophomore outside hitter was at her best when most needed. She delivered back-to-back kills to erase a rare 9-8 La Conner deficit in the second set. She added two monster spikes later in the set to give the Lady Braves an insurmountable 18-11 lead.

Emma Keller ignited the attack with 29 assists while serving three aces.

Libero Rachel Cram led the hosts defensively with 24 digs. Aubrie Sloniker chipped in another eight digs, including a brilliant one-hander that extended what was the match-winning rally in the third set.

Sarah Cook, meanwhile, filled the stat sheet with seven aces, three kills and 17 digs.

It was also a big day for the three seniors – Katie Watkins, Maya Masonholder and A.J. Thulen – who have been playing volleyball together since third grade.

Watkins recorded five kills, three blocks and was perfect on 15 service attempts with four aces. Masonholder contributed 10 digs. Thulen served up a pair of aces in the final set.

“It was great to have a season,” Thulen said, “and to have fans in the stands.”

The Lady Braves were coming off a straight-sets win at Coupeville on Friday, another match keyed by multiple contributions.

Ellie Marble again was a force at the net with 24 kills to go along with 16 digs.

Keller put up 32 assists and three blocks.

Cram had 18 digs and was 10-of-10 from the service stripe.

Cook was flawless on 12 serves and notched eight digs and five kills.

Watkins contributed four kills, three blocks and was 20-of-20 serving while Masonholder had eight digs.

Coach Marble praised her charges for their ability to adapt to match and practice schedules dictated by the pandemic.

“I just have to thank this amazing group of young women who made this season the best it could possibly be,” she said.

In a related note:

• It was an outstanding weekend for La Conner athletics. The football team joined the volleyball team as league champions with a 41-0 shutout win at Darrington Friday night. The boys’ soccer team edged Grace Academy 2-1 at home Friday afternoon in a clash that went to a shootout round. Spencer Olsen, Christian Fix and Andre Knudson were successful with their shootout attempts for La Conner. Knudson’s shot clinched the round thanks to three saves by Braves’ goalkeeper Elijah Porter.