Clean sweep: La Conner volleyball team 3-peats state championship

The lights were bright inside the Yakima Sun Dome last week, but none shone more than the La Conner High School volleyball team.

La Conner (22-0) kept its unbeaten mark intact by sweeping four matches over two days to capture the 2021 Washington state 2B championship behind several stellar performances.

Head coach Suzanne Marble’s charges posted straight-sets tourney victories over Rainier, Okanogan, Manson and Walla Walla Valley Academy enroute to the sixth state title in program history.

Her team prevailed 25-15, 25-13, 25-12 over Walla Walla in the finale, winning margins akin to what the Lady Braves had recorded all season, including non-league matches against teams from larger schools.

With the state tourney triumphs, the team claimed its third 2B net crown in four years. La Conner likely would have made it four straight dating to 2018 had last year’s tournament not been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They had so much fun together,” Marble said of her team, which had been limited to 10 spring conference-only matches during the 2020-21 school year. “There was no pressure. They were just fortunate to be together as a team and have a chance to play.”

They continued improving, aiming for perfection throughout a flawless fall campaign.

“They put everything together,” said Marble, one of three La Conner members of the Washington State Coaches’ Hall of Fame – along with Scott Novak and the late Landy James.

“Everyone on the team contributed,” she stressed, reflecting on the championship run, extending a stretch of excellence begun under Marble in 2002.

“It was the best they played all year together as a team.”

That team-oriented approach was evident early, in Thursday’s opening round match with Rainier as six players checked key boxes on the stat sheet during a 25-7, 25-13, 25-7 victory.

Outside hitters Ellie Marble and Sarah Cook led the way with double-doubles. Marble finished with 19 kills and 16 digs. Cook delivered 10 kills and 17 digs.

Making their presence felt with 13 kills were Morgan Huizenga (7) and Makayla Herrera (6).

Setter Emma Keller ignited the La Conner attack with 40 assists. Libero Rachel Cram, meanwhile, added 15 digs for the victors.

“Rainier was a young team with not a lot of state experience,” coach Marble said. “They were very scrappy and played hard the entire match.”

Despite the lopsided outcome and La Conner’s familiarity with the Sun Dome, the Lady Braves still needed time at the outset to adapt to playing in the Yakima arena.

“We made too many unforced errors,” Marble said, “and had to adjust to the dome and having only 10 feet (of space) to be able to serve.”

Serving was no problem the rest of the tournament, though. Players excelled from the service stripe in the late going of their 25-18, 25-14, 25-10 conquest of Okanogan.

Aubrie Sloniker, was 18 of 19 serving, closing out that match with eight consecutive service points in the third set.

Marble and Cook again were dual forces. Marble collected 19 kills and 15 digs and Cook posted 10 kills and 17 digs.

Keller had 28 assists and Cram notched 14 digs for the winners.

Herrera contributed six kills and five blocks while Josie Harper chipped in a pair of blocks.

The story was much the same during Friday’s semifinal and final rounds.

Marble had 20 kills and 16 digs in La Conner’s 25-10, 25-18, 25-17 defeat of Manson. Cook added eight kills and 14 digs. Cram finished with a team-best 21 digs along with four service aces. Herrera logged five kills and three blocks.

Against Walla Walla, Marble struck for 20 kills and 14 digs. Keller had 39 assists and Cram totaled 22 digs. Cook soared for 13 kills and Herrera rang up six kills and four blocks.

While the elated players and coaches celebrated after Cram served match point, Walla Walla betrayed little disappointment settling for a runner-up finish.

“Just getting to the championship round was super cool,” Walla Walla coach Robin Browning told the media. “We are more than proud of the girls and what they accomplished.”

That, of course, went for La Conner as well, only from atop the medal platform.

“I’m really proud,” said Marble, “of how the girls competed and continued to push each other.”

In La Conner’s case, that pushing lifted the program to new heights.