Monroe finishes 2nd in own volleyball tourney
Herald staff
MONROE -- If Saturday was any indication, the Monroe volleyball team could advance pretty far into the Class 4A postseason.
The Bearcats finished second at their own Monroe Invite, but became the first team to win a single set against 4A second-ranked Kentwood, before ultimately losing 21-25, 25-23, 8-15 in the title match.
"That was a really big deal," Monroe coach Dawn Hanson said of taking a game against Kentwood.
The Bearcats also beat Kamiak 25-14, 25-22 in the semifinals. Kamiak has beaten Monroe twice already this season.
"Beating Kamiak was (also important)," Hanson added. "They have been on our back for a while ... Our team played really well today."
The three-pool, 12-team tournament featured five Wesco teams. In pool play, Kamiak went 6-0, Monroe and Marysville-Pilchuck went 4-2, and Everett and Lake Stevens went 1-5.
Monroe defeated Marysville-Pilchuck (25-19, 25-10) and Kamiak to advance to the title contest.
Kamiak defeated Camas before being eliminated by the Bearcats. The Knights finished the tournament tied for third with Bellarmine Prep.
Jerrica Groeneweg had 96 digs to lead Monroe. Kelsey Brennan had 28 kills and 11 aces, Taylor Davis had 30 kills, and Kylin Munoz had 61 kills to pace the Bearcats.
Hanson said Brennan, Munoz, and Megan Birch played solid defense to help Monroe reach the title match.
In the consolation bracket, Everett defeated Lake Stevens 25-20, 25-22 before losing 18-25, 22-25 to Bainbridge Island to finish tenth. Lake Stevens dropped its final match to Issaquah 14-25, 16-25 to finish 12th.
Herald staff
MONROE -- If Saturday was any indication, the Monroe volleyball team could advance pretty far into the Class 4A postseason.
The Bearcats finished second at their own Monroe Invite, but became the first team to win a single set against 4A second-ranked Kentwood, before ultimately losing 21-25, 25-23, 8-15 in the title match.
"That was a really big deal," Monroe coach Dawn Hanson said of taking a game against Kentwood.
The Bearcats also beat Kamiak 25-14, 25-22 in the semifinals. Kamiak has beaten Monroe twice already this season.
"Beating Kamiak was (also important)," Hanson added. "They have been on our back for a while ... Our team played really well today."
The three-pool, 12-team tournament featured five Wesco teams. In pool play, Kamiak went 6-0, Monroe and Marysville-Pilchuck went 4-2, and Everett and Lake Stevens went 1-5.
Monroe defeated Marysville-Pilchuck (25-19, 25-10) and Kamiak to advance to the title contest.
Kamiak defeated Camas before being eliminated by the Bearcats. The Knights finished the tournament tied for third with Bellarmine Prep.
Jerrica Groeneweg had 96 digs to lead Monroe. Kelsey Brennan had 28 kills and 11 aces, Taylor Davis had 30 kills, and Kylin Munoz had 61 kills to pace the Bearcats.
Hanson said Brennan, Munoz, and Megan Birch played solid defense to help Monroe reach the title match.
In the consolation bracket, Everett defeated Lake Stevens 25-20, 25-22 before losing 18-25, 22-25 to Bainbridge Island to finish tenth. Lake Stevens dropped its final match to Issaquah 14-25, 16-25 to finish 12th.