Adna Stays Alive With Sweep of Warden

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YAKIMA — Looking like a completely different team from its first match, Adna came out on fire and swept Warden (25-16, 25-13, 25-21) in a loser-out match to stay alive in the state volleyball tournament.

The Pirates, who were coming off a sweeping loss by Walla Walla Valley Academy in the first round at 8 a.m., turned on the jets and dominated from start to finish for a convincing victory and morale-booster.

“We played a little better, we passed a little better, we actually had a plan and we actually served well,” Adna coach Wendie Dotson said. “That’s an exciting thing for these girls.”

It was do-or-die time for a Pirates team playing in the state tournament for the first time since 2014, and Thursday’s win marks their first state win since the same year.

Dotson admits the team was intimidated by Walla Walla’s big hitters in the first round, but the No. 11 were far from threatened by the 14-seed Warden.



One of the biggest differences from the first round to the second match was Adna was able to get its hitters the ball, and when they did get the ball, they put it away.

“We felt we could compete in this game, and if we do things right, we’re successful,” Dotson said.

Now, Adna moves on to Day 2 and will face the winner of Wahkiakum and Lind-Ritzville/Sprague at 8 a.m., Friday, in a loser-out match. The winner will advance to the 7th/8th place match.

“We’ve gotta get up and maybe run a bit really early, I don’t know,” Dotson said.