Braves standout gets college honors

Praises continue to be sung for Sarah Cook at Skagit Valley College, much like when she was a La Conner H igh School multi-sports star.

Cook, an SVC sophomore who has earned Northwest Athletic Conference honors in volleyball and basketball, is receiving more accolades this fall.

A 5-foot-9 outside hitter for the Cardinal spikers, Cook was recently named to the 2024 NWAC All-Star team.

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community member has been an integral part of an SVC volleyball squad that qualified for post-season action with 28-3 record.

Cook enjoyed a stellar five-match run in September when she averaged more than four digs per set and delivered 38 kills, 11 aces and three blocks with just one service reception error in 65 attempts to help lead Skagit to consecutive wins over Green River, Tacoma, Centralia, Big Bend and Pierce community colleges.

More recently, Cook led SVC with eight kills in a straight-sets triumph over Whatcom Community College last month.

Her play this season has resulted in Cook's reception of several North Region Defensive Player of the Week awards, the first coming after totaling 71 digs at the outset of the campaign.

SVC and the NWAC recognized Cook in November in celebration of Native American Heritage Month.

"Sarah is a game changer for our team, and it's been wonderful watching her compete," SVC head volleyball coach Joe Amaral told the media earlier this season. "Any given match she can take over on offense or defense and sometimes both."

As an SVC freshman, Cook was a second unit selection to the NWAC North All-Region Women's Basketball Team.

The La Conner alum was instrumental in numerous Braves' state trophy finishes.

As a senior, she was a first-team, All-State choice for the 2021 La Conner volleyball team that won the Washington 2B volleyball championship and didn't lose a set at the state tournament under now-retired Hall of Fame coach Suzanne Marble.

Cook followed up by averaging 17 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists per game as La Conner placed fourth under former coach and Hall of Fame member Scott Novak at the 2022 Washington 2B Girls' Hardwood Classic in Spokane.

Her versatility was such that Cook was sought by SVC to play both volleyball and basketball.