Final Four Standouts: 3A State Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mead Panthers from the Greater Spokane League captured their 9th overall state title and second in three years, with a second-place trophy sandwiched in between. The GSL champions gelled as the season progressed, and in the semi-finals handled Lynnwood in 4 games before sweeping Lake Washington in the finals. Lynnwood rallied for the third-place trophy defeating North Thurston, who had lost for the first time all season in the semi-final with Lake Washington. Here are several of the players who made a difference at the Sun Dome for the final four teams in 3A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["233895"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Mead has several excellent players in all the right places, a senior setter with great hands and experience, a senior libero to quarterback the defense and talented defenders and attackers on the pins. Durgan gave the Panthers a dominant force that few team could match up with in the middle. The 6'3 2025 University of San Diego commit loves to hammer the zero tempo set, and this season swings that may have paint brushed or just missed found the court for booming kills. She is a force as a blocker as well, and in the final versus Lake Washington slowed down a front line that had been rolling through the tournament. As the defense and serving of the Panthers became rock solid late season, Durgan posted monster numbers attacking off free balls and in controlled transition.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655ade203a3e4"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["254818"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The Central Washington University commit did everything possible to push Lake Washington into the finals and ultimately a second place finish versus Mead. The agile and quick Chang gets to second balls that other setters don't, giving her attackers a chance to make a play. Her tough serving created out of system swings and free balls against North Thurston and defensively she held her own in the 5-1 along the net and the backrow. CWU has a skilled, high level player coming into the program in 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655ade203a43f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <p class="wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/435287/655b5d30b534910ad44d6f39' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655c3a85c0399"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["481226"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The 2027 OH/MB looked good on the pin at the Sun Dome, and her 6'0 length as a freshman combined with her excellent movement hopefully keeps her outside as an attacker. She showed solid defensive instincts and was able to hold up in serve receive for North Thurston when they needed it, and the Rams were not afraid to go her direction for a swing with a game on the line. Combining Losey at one OH along with 2026 Addison Connor at the other is going to give the Rams multiple seasons of talented pins.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655ade203a490"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["266138"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Senior [player_tooltip player_id='254819' first='Ashley' last='McMaster'] was dynamic on one pin, and Terrell was terrific on the other for the Lake Washington Kangaroos. The 2025 attacker  is very well trained with a text book slow to fast approach on the outside and the ability to attack high hands and create kills with out of system swings. She was excellent against Mead in the final, staying dangerous from the pipe and playing the middle back  with intensity and skill. Terrell is a huge breakout candidate to watch during the club season and into her senior year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655ade203a4da"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16712319/655b69848cde9a04e831e0b1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655c3a85c0464"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["249350"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Mead trained up a back line full of gritty, consistent defenders this season, including Gabi Reich, [player_tooltip player_id='268059' first='Audriana' last='Spielman'], [player_tooltip player_id='460708' first='Janae' last='Demant'], and senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='249350' first='Olivia' last='Paul']. Paul is an outstanding athlete who has always had great hands and reflexes, and spent several years as an undersized outside. Her last two seasons have been fully devoted to the libero spot and she has delivered outstanding dig numbers while developing her ability to control hard swings and read attackers utilizing off-speed shots and tips. Paul is a humble, hard working and fiercely competitive player that will make any college program better.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655ade203a520"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["481227"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Senior outside Gessey was one of seven seniors that led the Lynnwood Royals to a third place finish at the Sun Dome, and battled Mead in a close four game semi-final before absorbing the loss to the Panthers. It is the best finish ever for Lynnwood in volleyball and Gessey had critical kills and digs in the match to secure the third place trophy. The senior outside just kept working in the semi-finals and the trophy match, getting on the ground to keep rallies alive and taking charge when the Royals needed a kill. Gessey is a tough. gritty competitor who was a true leader for the Royals.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655ade203a562"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["251032"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The tenth ranked prospect in the class of 2026 did not disappoint as a sophomore, posting an incredible season as setter and attacker for North Thurston. The Rams finished 22-2, and Humphrey contributed in all phases of the game. She has a calm, neutral look as a setter, and did a nice job keeping defenders honest in a battle against Lake Washington. She can easily move from delivering a soft block touch in the front row to the second ball and then reversing the flow to her opposite for a backrow kill, displaying a high level of skill for a sophomore.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655ade203a5a9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268220"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Holmer is a physical outside and she has come on strong late in the season for Lynnwood. Expect her to carry a karger load next season with a big senior class graduating- that should not be an issue for the 5'10 2025 who displayed shot making and power in critical situations at the Sun Dome. Her serving runs ignited Lynnwood throughout the year, and she delivered another versus North Thurston in the third/fourth place match when it mattered most.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655ade203a5f0"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/_ED9df8UYqQ?si=Jy8jwAEH4_0Phq5B","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/_ED9df8UYqQ?si=Jy8jwAEH4_0Phq5B </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='268220' first='Sammy' last='Holmer']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Prep Dig is putting on the Washington Top 250 Expo for Class of 2024-27 prospects on Dec. 2 in Lynnwood</strong>.&nbsp;<a href="http://click%20here/">https://events.prepdig.com/e/907/register/washington-top-250-expo</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the event. Check out the attendee list to see the great players from across the state who have already signed up.</em><a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/907/attendees"><em>&nbsp;https://events.prepdig.com/e/907/atte</em></a><a href="http://attendees/"><em>ndees</em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Washington Top 250 Expo is being held in a familiar spot for volleyball players and parents- The Academy Sports Center in Lynwood, home to [program_tooltip program_id='431458' first='Washington' last='Volleyball Academy']. Don't be afraid to make the trip across the mountains- we have prospects from Wenatchee, Kamiakin, Spokane Valley, and Kennewick ready to compete and play with top prospects from across the Westside of the state. I encourage you to check out the players attending list- the energy level will be high and the coverage extensive. We would love to see you there!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->