WIAA State Tournament- 3A Attackers to Watch

<p>The 3A Division State tournament gets rolling this week in the Yakima Sundome. The top 12 seeds are safe from a play-in match that the 13-18 seeds will play to get things started early on Friday morning. This group of attackers includes two multi-talented setters, a six-rotation middle, and two players who will play on the beach side at the college level. </p>   <p>Here are six attackers that will be hammering down kills at the Yakima Sundome this week.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Thurston- [player_tooltip player_id='363992' first='Addison' last='Conner']</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Conner will play beach volleyball at Cal Poly, and she will be working her power game indoors at least one more time in the Sun Dome. North Thurston finished just short last season, dropping the championship match to Ridgeline in a terrific battle. Conner has outstanding range on her shots; she finds angles and can work off of high hands or punish smaller blockers right over the top. Her all-around skills are excellent; all the touches she has accumulated in the sand show up when she has to make a play or deal with an unexpected bounce. Conner will be working hard to finish with a title in her senior year. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mt. Spokane- [player_tooltip player_id='251024' first='Berkeley' last='Neilson']</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Neilson is another in a growing list of high-quality, athletic volleyball players from Washington who are playing beach at the next level. The Mt. Spokane senior will play for Boise State at the college level as their beach program moves into the Big 12 Conference next year. The league will feature Boise State, Florida State, and South Carolina, joining Arizona, Arizona State, and last year's NCAA Beach Volleyball Champions, TCU. Neilson works from the middle for Mt. Spokane, but she can deliver a kill from any spot along the net when the Wildcats need it. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lakes- [player_tooltip player_id='251056' first='Marley' last='Alefaio']</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Alefaio may have had the best season of anyone in Washington High School volleyball this season. The senior is operating at a high level in all aspects on the court, and she helped Lakes to a 16-3 record and a number three seed in the tournament. Playing six rotations, Alefaio anchors the middle at the net for Lakes, then is available from the pipe and handles the middle back defensively and in serve receive. The Lancers are a unique challenge for teams, and Alefaio gives them a chance in every match. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prairie- [player_tooltip player_id='473859' first='Gracie' last='Jacoby']</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Jacoby was named the MVP of the 3A Greater Saint Helens League, and Prairie is 17-1 with her playing as an attacker and setter. The 2027 prospect has a strong arm swing and is accurate with her attacks from either pin. It's her all-around game that sets her apart; she is a talented setter with the size and smarts to deliver timely blocks at the net and play hustling, high-IQ defense in the back row. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lakeside- [player_tooltip player_id='335612' first='Lauryn' last='Coleman']</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Coleman heads into her last run at a state title three years removed from her first championship as a freshman with the Lions in 2022. She is now the undisputed hammer for her squad offensively, and she makes the same impact as a dominant blocker. Coleman will be playing at Santa Clara University next season; her quickness closing the block and explosion off the floor will be a challenge for teams at the Sun Dome. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bellevue- [player_tooltip player_id='249332' first='Juleah' last='Leapai']</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Leapai has been terrific operating as a setter and attacker for a fun, scrappy Bellevue squad this season. The Wolverines are a scrappy team that digs up anything thrown their way. Leapai provides the punch at the net when she isn't playing strong defense or racking up her own kills. She is among the team leaders in aces and blocks; Leapai will take her all-around game to Central Washington next season. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"></h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"></h2>   <p></p>   <p></p>

The 3A Division State tournament gets rolling this week in the Yakima Sundome. The top 12 seeds are safe from a play-in match that the 13-18 seeds will play to get things started early on Friday morning. This group of attackers includes two multi-talented setters, a six-rotation middle, and two players who will play on the beach side at the college level.