4A State Final Four Top Performers
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The Graham Kapowsin Eagles claimed the top spot at the 4A WIAA state championships in convincing fashion, led by senior outside Hailey Brockway Hailey Brockway 6'0" | OH Graham-Kapowskin | 2023 State #125 Nation WA . Brockway has been posting…
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Continue ReadingThe Graham Kapowsin Eagles claimed the top spot at the 4A WIAA state championships in convincing fashion, led by senior outside Hailey Brockway Hailey Brockway 6'0" | OH Graham-Kapowskin | 2023 State #125 Nation WA . Brockway has been posting monster numbers since her freshman year and capped it with an amazing run in the SunDome, she played with power and finesse, staying low error while taking so many swings for her team. The Eagles dropped just one set in four matches total, dominating beginning with the very early 7 AM start on Friday, till the final match Saturday evening. Here are some of the players that stood out from the four top teams.
Brockway will be a major loss on the outside for the Eagles, but their fiery senior Peterson will be tough to replace as the other six rotation attacker too. She was an extension of GK’s energetic coach Loni Parks and knew when to take a big swing or mix in an off-speed shot. Defensively she teamed with senior libero Kyra Jackson and Brockway to form a backline that rarely let a ball hit the floor and if one did, Peterson or another Eagle consistently hit the floor trying to dig it out.
Manaia Alefaio-Foifua
Manaia Alefaio-Foifua
The sophomore libero is just one component of a skilled and on the rise team and program for Mt. Rainier. The NPSL first-team libero is one of the best players at her position in the state, regardless of classification or year, and her honors and awards will keep piling up as her career continues. Most importantly, she is a winner, and in her first two years, Mt. Rainier has won a 6th place and 4th place trophy. With excellent outside Alani Taliloa also back for her junior year, the Rams will be looking to take a big step into the championship game next season.
The Lake Stevens squad had so much firepower, it was easy to overlook the excellent defense that Kelly played all season long. The game seems to slow down for Kelly, she reads hitters until the last second, sets her feet, and makes the quick reaction plays look easy. On truly hard-driven attacks she gets low, absorbs the ball in sprawl, and keeps her setter off the net, allowing the Vikings to attack in transition. Her setting is excellent as well, and she can move the ball to either pin using her hands or her platform.
Check out a few highlights from the championship match here: https://youtu.be/DSIM7QSln-o
Highlights
Just like the other final four teams, Puyallup will have major players to replace but in no way is the cupboard bare. Starting with Sheppard running the up-tempo attack, and accurately finding her hitters, expect the Vikings to be back in the mix for a state title again in 2023. Very fundamentally sound, she found her hitters in every spot on the court and had good location that was helped by her consistent foot pattern. Watch for opposite Rylie Hangca to feature more prominently in the attack, as senior outside Ivy Vindivich moves on the play her college ball at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.
Highlights
Kylee Harris
Kylee Harris
The senior setter was able to make everyone around her better, and on a team with so much energy, she was a steady presence who calmly found her attackers and played great defense. The Eagle’s powerful front line, including Brockway, Peterson, and junior middle Manaia Toa benefited from the consistent location and tempo that Harris brought all season. The Eagle’s main option in nearly every situation, front or back row, is Brockway, and it’s no secret. The fact that Harris as her setter worked with her to produce a .342 season hitting percentage and 25 kills per match at state, is a shared honor between the two.
In the semi-final win over Puyallup, the senior outside took a massive 59 swings, and registered 25 kills ripping it at a .322 rate. The Air Force commit was working against a huge Puyallup front line, and junior middle Danielle Brown registered six solo blocks, but it was not enough to pull off a victory in a battle of the Vikings. Laura Eichert will move into the featured attacker role for Lake Stevens next season after posting outstanding attacking numbers as a freshman.