4A State Finals: Impact Players
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The 4A State Championship match last weekend was between the returning State champions, the Cascade High School Cougars, and first-time champions, the Marshfield High School Pirates. The Marshfield Pirates, who were ranked 1st going into the final match, dominated to…
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Continue ReadingThe 4A State Championship match last weekend was between the returning State champions, the Cascade High School Cougars, and first-time champions, the Marshfield High School Pirates.
The Marshfield Pirates, who were ranked 1st going into the final match, dominated to win their first 4A title, playing hard for each point and refusing to let the 2nd ranked Cascade Cougars take over the match. Marshfield won in straight sets (25-14, 25-23, 25-16).
To recap the match, we will be identifying and highlighting players from each team who were impact players for their respective teams. Several athletes from both Cascade and Marshfield played excellent volleyball in their teams’ final matches of the season.
CASCADE HIGH SCHOOL
Senior outside hitter Benolken played steadily throughout the Championship match. Although her team did not come out on top, Benolken came alive in the second set to help bring the Cougars close to victory. She tallied 7 kills and only 4 errors on 19 total swings for a .158 hitting percentage. Benolken also posted 1 ace, 5 digs, and, perhaps most impressive, notched 19 receptions for a .864 on serve receive.
Because of Benolken’s dependable play, she was named as one of two Moda Health Players of the Game. She was also placed on the 4A All-Tournament Second Team.
Peterson was Cascade’s primary offensive weapon during her team’s match against Marshfield. The junior middle hitter was consistent at the net, racking up 5 kills in the last half of the second set to bring the Cougars close to a win. Peterson had 9 kills total on 20 swings and hit a steady .250. She also posted 1 ace, 1 dig, and 1 block assist.
Peterson was named onto the 4A All-Tournament First Team.
Senior setter and outside hitter Carley played a strong and consistent match while running her team’s offense. Carley did a good job of setting up her high-scoring attackers and was also effective in other areas of the game. She posted 2 kills, an impressive 21 assists, 7 digs, and 2 block assists. Carley was strong from the service line, too, where she served a .917 with 2 aces on 12 total serves.
Carley was placed on the 4A All-Tournament First Team.
MARSHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
COMMITTED: University of Oregon
Junior and standout player Gould had a steady match in Marshfield’s win against Cascade. Gould led her team to victory with her consistency, posting 9 kills on 15 total attacks for a very impressive .400 hitting percentage. She also had 3 digs, 1 block assist, and 3 strong receptions on serve receive.
Gould, who played at a high level throughout the tournament, was unanimously voted onto the 4A All-Tournament First Team.
Sophomore setter Ainsworth was instrumental in her team’s first state win: Without Ainsworth’s excellent setting, Montiel and Gould would not have likely been as dominating as they were. Ainsworth posted an impressive 22 assists, and she also notched 3 kills for a strong .286 hitting percentage. At the service line, Ainsworth was powerful, too: She served a .929, with 2 aces and only 1 error on 14 total serves. Ainsworth notched 3 digs and 1 block assist to push her team closer to victory.