State champion La Conner spikers dominate All-League picks

There was rarely suspense when the La Conner High School volleyball team took the court this year.

The team not only went undefeated in regular season and playoff matches but didn’t drop a single set at the Yakima Sun Dome enroute to capturing the 2021 state 2B championship last month, the program’s sixth title trophy in two decades.

Thus, there were few surprises when it came time for league schools to select this season’s All-NW2B/1B team.

Six players were selected for major All-League honors.

Leading the way is 6’-0” junior outside hitter Ellie Marble, tabbed as the league’s Most Valuable Player after filling the stat sheet with 521 kills, an average of more than five per set, to go along with 491 digs and 77 service aces among other feats.

Four of Marble’s teammates received All-League first unit recognition.

Senior libero Rachel Cram was chosen after collecting 505 digs and delivering 40 service aces. Senior hitter Sarah Cook was selected on the strength of 270 kills, 403 digs and 72 aces. Senior setter Emma Keller, an Edmonds College signee, garnered first team accolades for her 806 assists, 235 digs and 49 aces. Junior middle blocker Makayla Herrera, achieved first-team status, having totaled 202 kills, 73 blocks and 33 aces.

Sophomore hitter Morgan Huizenga was a second team choice with 144 digs, 74 kills and 47 aces.

League runner-up Coupeville placed junior setter Maddie George on the first team, joining Darrington senior setter Alyvia Wright and Orcas Island sophomore outside hitter Bethany Carter.

La Conner went 22-0 in 2021, despite playing a tough non-conference schedule, to essentially complete a three-peat of state 2B championship runs under head coach Suzanne Marble.

The school captured state crowns in 2018 and 2019, but the 2020 tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.