District 8 Playoff Preview: 4A

The Mid-Columbia Conference and the Greater Spokane League face off in both 4A and 3A matches to determine the District 8 state tournament representatives. In the first of two previews, we look at the top teams and players from the 4A ranks. This year the GSL is given the top seed, with eighth teams total in the mix. Five schools represent the MCC, with just three 4A schools in the playoffs from Spokane. Higher seeds will host during each round of the double-elimination tournament, starting this Tuesday night.   1 Seed. Gonzaga Prep- GSL #1   Gonzaga Prep is led by senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='97274' first='Kate' last='Palelek'], junior outsides [player_tooltip player_id='226454' first='Maddie' last='Finnegan'], and [player_tooltip player_id='220578' first='Lilli' last='Etter'], and has been seeing strong matches late from two sophomores, middle Savannah Gustaveson and libero Emma Sandberg. Gustaveson set a career-high with 15 kills in the Bullpup's last match versus Lewis and Clark, and setter Palelek has notched 43 and 50 assists in her last two matches. The team has taken losses against highly ranked teams Mead (2), Mt Spokane (2), Wenatchee, and Post Falls out of Idaho, and will be searching for a signature win in the postseason.   2 Seed. Kamiakin- MCC #1   Payton Arland at outside hitter is the big arm for the Braves. The MCC plays a 16-game league schedule, and Kamiakin finished an impressive 14-2, having won 12 of their last 13 games in the league. With so many league matchups, little time or games can be played outside of the MCC, and the Braves have proven they can win tough matches at home and on the road. MB Jule Whitley and setter Rylie Dolven are two juniors that have a great connection and provide scoring punch offensively for the team. The leaders in the WIAA RPI for District 8, the Braves will play at home unless they face Gonzaga Prep.   3 Seed. Lewis and Clark -GSL #2   The Tigers are scrappy and have excellent size along the front line. Elle DeAndre leads the team offensively and defensively from her outside hitter spot, and the trio of Grace Reichard, Abigail Graves, and Alexis Story put up a tremendous block and measure six feet or more. DeAndre is a skilled beach player and can find different shots and angles to score when it's needed most. This Lewis and Clark squad is smart and won't beat themselves, teams have to stay consistent against them.   4 Seed. Chiawana- MCC #2   This team is tough to work around for opposing hitters. Three of the main frontline players measure 6'1, and senior Emily Dawes is an extremely hard worker who has a strong block and powerful swing. The Riverhawks sealed the 2nd seed with a victory over Hanford and finished with the same 13-3 record as Richland. Dawes will attack from the back row, as well [player_tooltip player_id='233565' first='McCall' last='Callaway'], an athletic defender, and outside hitter.   5 Seed. Central Valley- GSL #3   The Bears have stretched several matches to five games in the later part of the season, but have not been able to seal the victory. Sophomore Tatyana Jennings is a powerful outside hitter who can take a big swing when needed and senior [player_tooltip player_id='97280' first='Autumn' last='Agnew'] is a dynamic athlete who excels on the basketball court as well, she is joined defensively by Madison Joswick, a skilled libero. The Bears are young, the playoffs will be a good learning experience for a group that by and large returns next season.   6 Seed. Richland- MCC #3   It's tough to finish a season 13-3 and have the six seed and a road game to show for it. Senior Kenzie Nealon works from the outside and the middle, she has played well down the stretch for the Bombers, showing a hard-angle attack that is tough to stop. Nealon is intense and seems set on leading the team to a state tournament appearance. Seven seniors lead a balanced and experienced squad, Jenna Holm is a junior middle who can score and is an excellent server.   7 Seed. Hanford- MCC #4   Hanford has great length, with Paige Sturing topping 6'4; the outside gives opposing hitters a difficult block to work around, and she can take balls off the top of the block or completely over it. Sisters Aubrey Turnow and [player_tooltip player_id='449819' first='Joely' last='Tornow'] both can put the ball away with big swings, they should lead the team offensively along with Sturing. The team went five games six times this season, the Falcons are experienced in going the distance in a match.   Pasco is the eighth entry, they have had a rough go in the MCC, and Kamiakin should roll in that first-round matchup. With the top four teams being so closely bunched in the Mid Columbia, it's anyone's guess as to what three teams emerge for the state berths. Gonzaga Prep and Kamiakin have the advantage of playing at home at least until a final game, and both made their way through the District to state a year ago. That experience should help both squads. CV will likely be on the outside looking in, and it's too close to call for the third spot between any of the remaining three MCC teams and Lewis and Clark.

The Mid-Columbia Conference and the Greater Spokane League face off in both 4A and 3A matches to determine the District 8 state tournament representatives. In the first of two previews, we look at the top teams and players from the 4A ranks. This year the GSL is given the top seed, with eighth teams total in the mix. Five schools represent the MCC, with just three 4A schools in the playoffs from Spokane. Higher seeds will host during each round of the double-elimination tournament, starting this Tuesday night.