Trojans edge Mules for trip to state

The Pe Ell Trojans won a tight 3-0 match with the Wahkiakum Mules last Friday to earn a trip to the state volleyball tournament and end the Mules' season.

Pe Ell won the match 25-22, 27-25, 25-22.

"Pe Ell has two very talented and tall middle hitters, and we had a difficult time slowing them down and defending their attacks," said Mule Coach Jeff Rooklidge. "Each set was tight and close, but Pe Ell was able to make more plays at crunch time and we played a little tentative at times.

Blaine Land and Tori Wegdahl led the team in kills with 19 each. Madison LaBerge was 15/15 serving, and Baylee Olsen was 11/13 with seven service points. Setter Brieanna Olsen made 37 assists and was 14/14 in serving.

Earlier in the week on Wednesday, the Mules had reached the district semifinals where they lost a 3-1 match to South Bend.

"South Bend was the number one seed from the Pacific, and they showed why, winning the match by scores of 24-26, 25-23, 25-12, 26-24," Rooklidge said.

"We came out confident and played some of our best volleyball of the year winning the first set. In the second set, we had a couple of calls go against us, made a few errors and ultimately lost our rhythm and lost a close set 23-25.

"We had a bad stretch in the third set with serve receiving errors and lost badly. To the girls credit, they refound their confidence and fighting spirit and came back strong, losing the last set 24-26. We had it tied late and were unable to come up with a few key plays that turned the tide for South Bend."

Brieanna Olsen had 40 assists and eight service points. Land made 17 kills and was 15/15 in serving. Wegdahl had 17 kills and 15/16 serving.

Baylee Olsen had five kills and 10 blocks. Haylee Budd had 26 digs and 12/13 serving. Madison LaBerge two kills, seven blocks. Marissa Washington had two kills and six touch blocks. Maya Stanley and Brianne Helms each had six digs. Ashley Silva had two kills, three blocks and six touch blocks.

"This was a very close team with a good work ethic and lots of determination and character," Rooklidge said. "They never quit and supported each other throughout the year. It was a bitter disappointment not getting to state, but it sure wasn't because of a lack of effort. The team gave all they had and just came up a little short.

"Seniors Brieanna Olsen, Ashley Silva, Blaine Land and Brianne Helms will be remembered as great teammates and excellent leaders."