Dean Wong

As the Ballard Beavers volleyball team practiced hard again last week, they had their mindset on finishing high in the KingCo playoff bracket and possibly qualifying for state. Only the top two teams in the league will advance to the state playoffs and the Beavers are up for the challenge.

The team has made the playoffs each of the last ten years, the last four years was at the KingCo 4A level.

Ballard played its first post season game against city rival Garfield on November 1, as the News-Tribune went to press. The Beavers lost to the Bulldogs 3-0 on October 20 and are seeking redemption.

Ballard needed a win over Garfield or a win on Thursday, November 3 in a second playoff game to advance to a Saturday all-day tournament hosted by Bothell High.

The team needs to win two games to advance to the second round or lose two games to be eliminated.

Ballard will be grouped with Garfield, Redmond, Bothell and Woodinville.

"It's a tough bracket," said Head Coach Tami Reese last week as she watched her team going through drills.

Reese would like the team to place among the top four teams in the KingCo playoffs at least, with a state tournament shot as another goal.

Success in the playoffs will depend on Ballard's passing and serving. "Control the ball and let other teams make mistakes, then our offense works," said Reese.

The Beavers will have to play more consistently than it did in the regular season where they were 6 and 5 in league play.

"It's a tough league. There are a couple of games we should have won. You learn from those games," said Reese.

Assistant Coach Al Lowe is optimistic. He hinted that mental toughness will push the team as far as it would go.

"If we play and play the way we can, we can do it. We have the skills and the talent and need to put it all together," said Lowe.

Senior Co-Captains Karlin Castor-Peck and Selena Voelker are looking to finish their high school careers on top.

"It's definitely more important because it's our senior year. Other teams don't think of us as a threat. We'll show them we're much better than teams think we are," said Castor-Peck.

Stopping the other team's offense is a key Beaver strategy. "We play defense real well. It makes the biggest difference in games," said Castor-Peck.

Ballard is also a strong serving team and plays well when that aspect of their game is on.

Voelker admits there is more pressure in the playoffs. "It's a good bracket. It will be hard. We're ready for them," she said.

The Beavers earned a respectable 9 and 5 record overall this year. Ballard dominated Liberty, Sammamish and Lakeside in non-league games to start their schedule. Ballard then beat Eastlake, Redmond, Juanita, Lake Washington, Franklin and Roosevelt. They lost games to Skyline, Bothell, Inglemoor, Woodinville and Garfield.

Erin Baumler has been playing well for the Beavers. She had 21 assists against the Bulldogs. In the Franklin win, Baumler had five kills, five blocks and 18 assists. Castor-Peck had 13 kills in the Garfield match, along with nine kills and three aces to help her team defeat Juanita. Voelker and Geddes have also played well in recent games. Teamwise, the Beavers are improved over previous years.

"We worked all season for the playoffs and to make it to state. We have a great team, they practice hard, they respond in a good way," said Reese.

Call the school at 252-1000 for the latest information on playoff games, locations and times.

Voelker and Castor-Peck were both named to the Second Team All-KingCo team last week. Baumler made the Honorable Mention list.