W.F. West fell for the second straight game, this time in four sets (22-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-25) to Black Hills at home Tuesday.
The Bearcats (4-6, 4-5 league), who have now lost four of their last five, will take the 2A Evergreen Conference’s No. 4 seed into the playoffs, where they face Aberdeen (2-7) in the opening round Tuesday.
Against Black Hills, junior Ava Olsen led the Bearcats with a team-high 13 kills, while libero Alisha Anderson tallied a team-high 30 digs and Amelia Etue added two blocks. Saige Brindle, Raina Romine and Savannah Hawkins each served 100%. Hawkins perfect serving was on 25 attempts and she also notched two aces.
“She’s a great server,” W.F. West coach Emily Mora said.
Junior middle blocker Anna White was in just her second game back after an injury earlier in the season, and Mora is hopeful the Bearcats can turn it around before playoffs start next week.
“Overall, the energy in the gym felt amazing,” Mora said. “We had some highlight reels. Tonight was a big confidence boost, even though we didn’t get the win. I’m really proud of the team.”
W.F. West hosts Tumwater in their final regular-season matchup of the year on Thursday. Playoffs start Tuesday against Aberdeen, and a win would send the Bearcats to face Centralia (7-1, 7-1 league) next Thursday. The Tigers’ regular-season game against Aberdeen on Tuesday, March 9, was canceled due to lack of transportation. A win over Centralia next Thursday would send the Bearcats to the final four of the playoffs.
