Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Davenport still alive in state play
Davenport junior Chloe Hammond prepares to serve.
Davenport junior McCall Knopp tries to block a shot by Allyson Ooms of Rainier.
Davenport senior Selah Hupp gets low to bumps a serve against Rainier.
Davenport junior Faith Bell gets ready to serve the ball against Rainer.
Davenport junior Astraya Sosa celebrates at the district tournament in Cheney.
The NE 2B All-league players were recognized November 7 in Cheney.
YAKIMA - The Davenport girls volleyball team survived the first day Wednesday, Nov. 13, of the state 2B volleyball tournament, positioning itself for a shot at a trophy.
Davenport went 1-1 on Day 1, advancing to the second day of play Thursday.
The Gorillas opened state play at 8 a.m. Wednesday with a disappointing loss to Rainier, 3-1. Set scores were 25-16, 25-23, 25-27, 25-15.
"I knew morning games weren't our forte," Davenport Coach Jill Morrison said. "It took them (her players) a little while to get warmed up."
Morrison said the game was winnable, but acknowledged the early morning and pressure got to her young team.
"Nerves and morning. These girls don't like morning," Morrison said, adding it takes "them a while to get their engines going.
"We had the capability to win that game, but mentally we just weren't strong enough."
The last time the Gorillas took the court in a state volleyball tournament was 2017, she said, noting her young team had been looking forward to the opportunity.
"All these girls have been dreaming of this since middle school," she said. "We've got some pretty hungry girls and we're going to get it done."
And in their second game at state, get it done they did.
The Gorillas bounced back late in the day to take down perennial state-qualifier Goldendale, 3-1. Set scores were 23-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-18.
"I told you they play better in the afternoon," Morrison said. "They made it to Day 2, which was our ultimate goal. I'm just so proud of them."
Morrison said the win gave her girls confidence and the knowledge that they belonged in the state tournament.
The loss eliminated the Timberwolves from the tournament, and paved the way for the Gorillas to advance closer to a state trophy.
At press time Wednesday, the Gorillas were planning to get some rest before facing Warden at 8 a.m. Thursday. A loss to the Cougars would end Davenport's hopes for a state trophy.
A win would propel the Gorillas into the noon game for seventh and eighth places, and a trophy.
In 1B state volleyball, Wilbur-Creston advanced to the semi-finals. They were scheduled to play at noon on Thursday against Fellowship Christian. Another area 1B team, Soap Lake, was eliminated from the tournament Wednesday.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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