ADNA — A week that started with matchups against two of the best 2B schools in western Washington and concluded with a tournament apparently wasn’t enough for the Adna volleyball team. So the Pirates added another high-caliber matchup, hosting undefeated Goldendale — in town early for their tournament this weekend — for an official non-league game.
And just like the first tests against Toutle Lake and Napavine, the Pirates passed this one with flying colors, sweeping the Timberwolves 25-14, 25-15, 25-15 to stay undefeated on the season.
“That was a good thing for our girls, to come in after playing a really intense game last night and get the job done,” Adna coach Wendie Dotson said.
Kendall Humphrey led the Pirates (11-0, 5-0 C2BL) with 11 kills and 11 digs. Karsyn Freeman put down nine kills of her own, while Charissa Schierman had seven and Danika Hallom had five in another all-around, high-powered offensive performance.
Gaby Guard directed the offense with 20 assists, while Schierman added nine.
“Our setters were able to get it to our hitters and did a good job of that,” Dotson said.
Less than 24 hours removed from its second win over Napavine — this one in enemy territory — Dotson saw her team get right back at it with the same focus and intensity sustained, and the ensuing match Friday never felt that close at all, with Pirate runs powering the way to large advantages early.
“I was worried that we would potentially come out a little flat, because this week has been an emotional week for everybody,” Dotson said. “There were definitely lulls, but they came in with the same focus.”
Going from one match to the second in quick succession — and against two teams that made it to State last season — comes close to replicating the sort of atmosphere and challenge Adna will face in Yakima come November. Last year, the Pirates lost in the second round of the state tournament before battling back to take fifth place.
This time around, Dotson sees things as looking up. And this week’s games agree with her in a way that the selection committee won’t be able to ignore in a few weeks.
“We’re better than we were last season,” she said. “We lost a lot of seniors, a lot of key players, but we’ve meshed really well and they’ve grown a lot. We’ve got a few more weapons that have improved their skills.”
After its weekend tournament, Adna will get back to C2BL play with a home match against Wahkiakum on Tuesday.
