3A volleyball consolation: Bainbridge gets best-ever third

EVERETT — Michelle Miller made the most of her painful return to the volleyball court.

Miller, a 5-foot-11 senior who had knee surgery just six months ago, led Bainbridge to a best-ever third-place finish at the Class 3A state tournament yesterday at the Everett Events Center.

After an emotional, 3-1 loss to White River in the semifinals, the third-ranked Spartans (29-4) regrouped to beat Camas in the match for third and sixth places, 21-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20.

"To get third place in state is awesome," Miller said.

Fittingly, it was Miller who put away the third-place match with her 21st kill.

She tweaked her repaired right knee when she landed and stood with tears in her eyes during the trophy presentation, a mixture of pain in the knee and pleasure in the accomplishment. She had hurried back by midseason, a return she admits was probably premature, but she would have it no other way.

"It was definitely worth it," she said.

Unranked Camas (24-5) was the surprise team of the tournament, reaching the semifinals before losing 3-0 to top-ranked Bishop Blanchet.

Camas wound up sixth despite having no player taller than 5-9.

Fourth-seventh place

Shorecrest 3, West Valley (Yakima) 0

The five Shorecrest seniors wanted to leave their mark on the program and did, earning the school's best finish by winning 25-21, 25-20, 25-23.

"We really wanted to make this season memorable," senior hitter Becky Scherer said.

The Scots (27-2) had to bounce back quickly from Friday night's emotional, 3-2 loss to White River. They bounced third-ranked Mark Morris to assure themselves of a trophy, 3-1.

Fifth-eighth place

Selah 3, Mercer Island 0

The unranked Islanders (17-9) went home with smiles earning only the fourth volleyball trophy in school history.

"It's been a nice ride," senior hitter Callie Webster said.

After dropping the opening match to Camas, Mercer Island came back to beat Peninsula and Columbia River to get into the trophy game with Selah (28-8), which lived up to its fifth-place ranking.

Gillian Page paced MI with 14 kills, two blocks, nine assists and nine digs against the Vikings. Webster added eight kills and 20 digs.