Napavine fell to Ocosta in four sets then swept Ilwaco to remain in contention for a state playoff spot during the opening two rounds of the 2B District 4 tournament Saturday in Adna.
In the opening match against Ocosta, the Tigers put up what coach Monica Dailey called the team’s worst performance of the year, falling 25-16, 19-25, 27-25, 25-21.
“We really struggled defensively in the front row not getting blocks set,” Dailey said. “We were making dumb mistakes.”
Tied at a game apiece in the third set, the Tigers squandered a nine-point lead before falling 27-25 and lost all momentum.
Avery Schutz served 100% and added five aces and 24 assists. Jessie McCoy also served 100% and notched seven kills. Anna Thompson served 100%, Grace Gall had 27 digs and seven kills, Emily Kang had 26 digs and Nikki Ahmann tallied 14 digs.
In the loser’s bracket, Napavine steadied itself and defeated Ilwaco in straight sets (25-7, 25-9, 25-18) to remain alive in the tournament. It helped that the Tigers had already played Ilwaco in a tournament in Adna earlier this season.
“I told the girls, ‘It’s a do-or-die situation,’” Dailey said. “The girls had confidence and did a great job to finish in three.”
Kang, McCoy and Gall each served 100%, with Kang adding 22 digs and Gall smashing six kills. Schutz contributed 15 assists and Kira O’Neill hammered 13 kills.
Next up for Napavine is a loser-out match vs. Wahkiakum at 4 p.m., Wednesday, at Onalaska High School. The Tigers need two more wins to earn a state berth.
