Hard-working La Conner clinches return trip to state volleyball tournament

It might have looked easy, but no effort was spared by the two-time defending state champion La Conner High School volleyball team in its quest to make a return trip to the 2B title tournament in Yakima this week.

La Conner, a perfect 18-0 in regular season action – including non-league triumphs over teams from larger schools – secured its latest state tourney berth with a straight-sets win over NW2B rival Coupeville in district playoff action last Wednesday at Landy James Gym.

“I’m proud of the girls and the work that they’ve put in this year,” head coach Suzanne Marble said afterward. “They’ve pushed themselves to be better every practice and match.”

It showed as they easily defeated a young but talented Coupeville team 25-6, 25-13, 25-12.

Reigning NW2B Most Valuable Player and recent state player of the week Ellie Marble paced the hosts with 18 kills, 11 digs, and two service aces.

That stat line included the junior’s 1,000th career kill.

“That was a pretty special moment to be a part of,” coach Marble, Ellie’s mom, told the Weekly News.

Emma Keller had 30 assists to fuel the attack while libero Rachel Cram led the hosts defensively with 13 digs.

Sarah Cook delivered eight kills, nine digs, and four aces and Makayla Herrera recorded three kills and four blocks for the victors.

“I’m proud of their accomplishments as league champs and district champs,” said Marble, whose team, like all others around the state, had its fall 2020 season wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic and then was limited to a 10-match conference schedule this past spring.

The team returned to the court this fall with a business-like approach, eager to defend its 2018 and 2019 state crowns. That mindset remains intact.

“We’re ready to get back to work tomorrow,” Marble said last Wednesday, “and focus on the fun week ahead.”

Coupeville had advanced to the district championship round opposite La Conner by virtue of a 25-15, 25-20, 25-13 semifinal victory over Auburn Adventist earlier Wednesday.

Coupeville did so minus setter and team captain Maddie Georges, who was ill.

But it is unlikely even if Georges had been able to play that Coupeville would have avoided its sixth straight setback to La Conner spanning two years.

The team is 17-3 against all other foes during that time frame, with no losses against 2B programs.

But La Conner, now eyeing a shot at its sixth state crown under Marble, plays at an entirely different level.

“They make you really earn your points,” Coupeville head coach Cory Whitmore said after Wednesday’s match, “and while our serving was still strong, they had offensive weapons to send it back.”

La Conner earned its initial state volleyball championship in 2002, sweeping Wilbur-Creston in three sets to become the first Class B team from west of the Cascades to win the crown since 1986.