Pe Ell’s season ends in districts to Wahkiakum

The state hopes for the Pe Ell volleyball team have come to an end, as the Trojans lost in five sets to Wahkiakum in a District 4 1B elimination match at South Bend High School Thursday night.

Pe Ell led two sets to one before the Mules won the final two to send the Trojans home.

The matchup between Columbia Valley League foes was their third meeting in two weeks, with the Mules winning in five sets on Oct. 23 and the Trojans prevailing in four on Nov. 1. Pe Ell’s win over Wahkiakum clinched a league title, but the Trojans couldn’t pull off a second win over their rival in districts.

Pe Ell defeated Ocosta in five sets in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals but lost two straight to end the season. 

Peyton Zock led the Trojans with 14 kills and recorded four blocks. Karli Phelps tacked on five kills, 20 assists, seven digs and two blocks. Madi Engel logged 11 kills and eight digs while going 100% at the service line.

“We had a good run and a great season. That was a tough finish. Definitely not what we wanted,” Pe Ell head coach Jill Engel said.

Pe Ell, which finishes the season 15-6, graduates six seniors: Madi Engel, Bailey Cox, Ava King, Sophia Milanowski, Brynnlee Hoffman and Zock. 

“I am very proud of our six seniors,” Coach Engel said. “Now we look ahead to our next season as we rebuild our team.”