La Conner volleyball team selected as state 2B team of the month

It’s been quite a year for La Conner High School volleyball.

And no month reflects that better than November, when the team captured its third straight state 2B tournament championship. They did it dropping only a single set at Yakima to cap yet another undefeated season.

Because of that, and their winning ways off the court in terms of community service and academic excellence, the Lady Braves were selected by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and Les Schwab Tire Center as the state 2B team of the month for November.

The WIAA and Les Schwab recognize a varsity team of the month for each of the state’s six enrollment classifications. Selections are based on athletic performance, dedication in the classroom and service to the community.

In La Conner’s case, its most recent state net title is complemented by several players having earned scholastic honors and the team’s donation of $1,212 to the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation raised their annual Dig Pink Cancer Awareness Night match, which head coach Suzanne Marble notes “is a great way to give back to the community.”

The WIAA and Les Schwab took note as well while also recognizing Almira-Coulee-Hartline football (1B), Chelan volleyball (1A), Squalicum boys cross-country (2A), Bainbridge girls swimming and diving (3A) and Tahoma girls swimming and diving (4A) for the elite statewide award.

“This is a special group of young women,” Marble said of her team, “and I am very proud of their recognition.”

The numbers confirm her praise.

Senior team members posted a 74-0 record over their four years and also clinched state crowns in 2018 and 1019.

The 2020 state tourney was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting last year’s schedule to a shortened, conference-only spring campaign and preventing the chance of winning four consecutive championships.

“We were fortunate to have had a true regular season and to have been able to play a post-season this year,” Marble told the Weekly News Saturday. “This team has faced a lot of adversity throughout the past year and season and truly came together as a team as the season progressed.”

At the state tourney, La Conner swept its four matches, including a 25-15, 25-13, 25-12 triumph over Walla Walla Valley Academy in the final round. No opponent scored more than 18 points in any set.

The WIAA and Les Schwab were among those keeping score.

“Our La Conner volleyball team had so many accomplishments to be proud of this past month and season,” said Marble. “It’s a great team on and off the court and very deserving of the team of the month honor.”