​BY GERARDO BOLONG

Contributing Writer

COVINGTON - Surviving the obstacles of the dreaded loser-out bracket, the Kennedy Catholic girls volleyball team achieved its goal of state after sweeping three sets from Kentridge in the early evening of the 4A West Central/Southwest Bi-district tournament at Kentwood High School on Sat., Nov. 4.
This concluded a gutsy effort similar to the allies traversing the Burma Road in World War II.
It took every effort Kennedy Catholic could muster after dropping its first match in the tournament.

A stunning loss to Graham Kapowsin placed the Lancers in true jeopardy, needing to win a long series of matches in order to reach the state goal.

The Lancers revved it up in a 3-0 demolition of Bellarmine Prep ahead of another three-set win, this time against the Camas Papermakers. Good communication set up the win.
Although contesting the middle sets well, the Lancers fell in four sets to powerful Puyallup.

With its back against the proverbial brink of elimination, Kennedy mustered up an excellent effort against the Kentridge Chargers, a team that forced the Lancers to five-sets on Oct. 17.

Getting excellent set ups and blocks, Kennedy Catholic prevailed 25-19 in the first set.

Defensive digs added to the domination in the second set as the white-hot Lancers buried the Chargers 25-15. Solid serving also aided the cause.

Kentridge put up super strong resistance in the third set, but Kennedy Catholic pulled out a 26-24 thriller to earn the seventh and last bi-district opening to state.

The Lancers (15-5) open up state action on Fri., Nov. 10, against Eastlake in a 1:30 start at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.
Kennedy Catholic state volleyball players are Mikayla McAllister, Grace Babb, Vanessa Mendez, Julia Westhoff, Malia Aleaga, Amaya Cook, Marie Hershberger, Sharli O'Neil, Haley Moore, Mary Grace Curran and Dyamonde Schirmer.
Head coach Liz Quitiquit is assisted by coaches Bri Trier, Joe Baleta and Kelsey Harrington.
Sam Reed is the school athletic director.