Big Names, Big Games in 2A Rumbles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's early in the season, and rivals are already facing off in outstanding match-ups across the state. Here, we focus on the teams and players in the 2A ranks that excelled this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pullman vs West Valley (Spokane)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2A GSL rivals faced off early in the season, and Pullman pulled off the five-set win on the road against the Eagles from the Spokane Valley. [player_tooltip player_id='738539' first='Camber' last='Wolfe'] was excellent at the setter spot for Pullman, and senior [player_tooltip player_id='551870' first='Hailey' last='Colyar'] was tough at the net for West Valley. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["887263"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cb6fb4f3f33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A senior who has been a crucial part of Pullman's success over her career, Washington is tough to handle in the middle. She has a powerful arm swing and the touch to drop in a sweet tip when the defense is on its heels. Pullman can move her to the pin to get her involved offensively, and she can run a variety of routes to take advantage of favorable match-ups. Washington finished with 19 kills in the win over West Valley. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["611099"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cb6fb4f3fdb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wanberg is a dynamic defender who has been at the top of her game to start the season for the Eagles. The senior has posted 30 digs twice already and, in a 3-set win, racked up another 19, giving her 79 in three matches thus far. Wanberg is quick to identify a tip or shot and has the quickness to swoop in and cover the middle of the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Columbia River vs Ridgefield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rapids started hot in the first set, and it looked like they might cruise in the rivalry match. As expected, Ridgefield came back with a fury, taking a 2-1 set lead before Columbia River fought back and took the victory in five sets. This is a perennial matchup of top-placing 2A teams at state; this year looks no different. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499398"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cb6fb4f404b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gourley was delivering kills from the pin and the pipe for the Rapids; the junior looks poised for a terrific school season. She continues to improve her all-around game, playing tough defense and playing with poise when the Rapids needed her most. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["251027"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cb6fb4f40e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whitlow was all over the court for the Spudders, finishing the match with 21 digs. The All-State performer from a season ago picked up right where she left off, digging up anything she could get her hands on, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lynden vs Meridian (1A)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lynden is a 2A power playing with a chip after missing out on a state berth last season. Meridian has a great mix of young players and experienced upperclassmen, and they gave the Lions all they could handle before falling in the 5th set. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499494"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cb6fb4f414b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Parcher is one of the better multi-sport athletes in the state. The Lynden standout gets it done on the basketball and the volleyball court. The 2027 prospect finished with 27 kills and 15 digs, showing off her solid all-around game at the net and in the back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["662554"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cb6fb4f41af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The sophomore from Meridian is undersized at the pin but knows how to score over and around bigger blocks. Against Lynden, Short found the floor off the block, in the deep corners, and hammered the ball at sharp angles. Her 21 kills and 11 digs were a major factor in Meridian pushing Lynden to the limit in the five-set match. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->