Having finished second in its pool, the Wildcat girl’s volleyball team opened tournament play and beat Kingco nemesis Issaquah 15-13, 15-6. Coach Bonnie Foote reports that this match was the best of the season for the Wildcats. Stephanie Sales and Jaymee Horstman (each with 7 kills) led the effort for Mount Si. Foote praised Horstman, saying that she played very well.

This win allowed the Wildcats to play another Kingco rival, Mercer Island, but things didn’t go as well and Mount Si lost to the Islanders 15-7, 15-12. Sales (9 kills, 8 digs) and Alison Neuenschwander (8 digs) led the effort for the Wildcats.

The loss meant the Wildcats had to play Issaquah again. Foote explained this was because of a scheduling quirk. As it was, the Indians were out for revenge, and they got it, beating Mount Si 9-15, 15-7, 15-13. Foote said the Wildcats gave it their all in the third set, and that they could taste a second victory against Issaquah. However, a questionable-carry call by the referee, along with the strong finish of Issaquah’s Andrea Wessel, contributed to the Wildcat’s loss in this match. Sales (14 kills, 13 digs), Neuwenschwander (10 digs) and Everett (20 assists) led the Wildcat’s effort.

The Wildcat’s final game was against Holy Names. The winner went to state and the loser was done for the season. Foote said that the Wildcats, after having played a very tough game against Issaquah in their previous match, were exhausted, and that allowed Holy Names to take advantage and win the match and eliminate the Wildcats from the postseason.

Hyatt (14 digs) and Everett (12 assists) led the Mount Si attack in this match.

Sales and Everett made tournament first team, and Hyatt made second-team honors.

Foote was disappointed with not being able to take her team to state, but she has no regrets. She said the team left everything it had out on the court, especially considering players left with many injuries, ranging from bruised and bloody knees up to a ruptured disc. She expects more from her program in the future, saying that traditions were born with this year’s team.