As the Mt. Spokane volleyball team gears up for its return to the 3A state tournament this weekend at the Yakima Valley SunDome, there’s an unmistakable buzz surrounding the Wildcats. Despite losing just a handful of seniors from last year’s squad, the team enters this year’s competition with high expectations. Under first-year coach Darcy McMurray, the Wildcats have been working tirelessly, building on the foundation of a team that earned a sixth-place finish in the 2023 State 3A tournament.
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“We’ve come a long way from where we started, and we are only continuing to peak,” McMurray said after last Thursday’s District 6 championship match against Ridgeline, in which Mt. Spokane finished as runners-up. “We’ve found a lot of consistency in the little things right now, and I really think we are peaking at the right time.”
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The Wildcats, who finished the regular season with a 12-4 record, enter the state tournament as the No. 6 seed. They will face 11th-seeded Timberline in the opening round on Friday morning. This seeding places them on the opposite side of the bracket from Greater Spokane League (GSL) and District 6 champions Ridgeline, who earned the tournament’s top seed after defeating the Wildcats 3-1 in last week’s district title match.
Though Mt. Spokane did not come out victorious in the district championship, senior middle hitter Teegan Curtis is confident that the Wildcats will be ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
“We didn’t compete to our full potential against Ridgeline, and that’s why we came up short,” Curtis admitted. “But we all know what it should look like, and we’re ready to get back to doing what we do best.”
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Her coach shares that sentiment. McMurray sees the tough match against Ridgeline as a valuable learning experience. “This is the kind of match you want to play before you go to state, because it shows you the things we need to work on and do over the next week,” McMurray said. “They’re an incredible team, and we’d love to see them again in the future. It’s great preparation for us.”
As Mt. Spokane prepares to face off against Timberline, the team is fueled by its collective experience and talent. The Wildcats are no strangers to state tournament success, having earned a trophy in the last four 3A tournaments, including a state championship in 2019. That championship legacy is something the players hold in high regard, and for the team’s core group of seniors, it’s a motivating factor as they approach the final stretch of the season.
“I want to encourage these girls to realize that our ceiling is still so much higher than where we are,” Curtis said. “We want to figure out how to reach that next level during the tournament. We think we can go all the way.” With the potential for another deep postseason run, Curtis and her teammates know that it will take a collective effort to make that vision a reality.
Experience and Leadership Set Mt. Spokane Apart
What makes Mt. Spokane such a formidable team this season is not just its individual talent but the leadership provided by the senior players. These athletes have seen the highs and lows of state tournament play and have a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Curtis, along with fellow seniors, has taken on the role of mentor to the younger players, helping to instill a sense of confidence and focus as the team prepares for the 3A tournament. Their leadership on and off the court will be crucial, especially when the competition ramps up during the elimination rounds.
“I feel like we’re in a really good spot mentally,” said Curtis. “This team is resilient, and we know how to stay focused when it matters the most.”
For McMurray, the key to the Wildcats’ success lies in their consistency and ability to execute the small details. “Volleyball is a game of precision, and when we focus on those small details, it all comes together,” McMurray said. “That’s where we’ve really improved this season.”
Looking Ahead: The Path to Glory
The road to the state championship will be no easy feat. After the first-round match against Timberline, Mt. Spokane will have to continue navigating through a loaded field of teams, including the likes of Ridgeline, who has been dominant this season. But McMurray is confident in her squad’s ability to stay focused and perform at its highest level.
“I think we have the potential to compete with anyone in this tournament,” she said. “We’ve played against some of the best teams in the state, and we know we can be right there with them. Our biggest challenge now is to stay consistent and execute when the pressure is on.”
Mt. Spokane’s history of state tournament success speaks for itself. In addition to the 2019 championship, the team has consistently placed among the top contenders in recent years. This tradition of excellence is something that the current roster is determined to continue. And while the Wildcats know they have a tough road ahead, they also know that a high trophy placement is well within their reach.
The Top-Seeded Falcons: The Team to Beat
As the Wildcats continue their journey, they will have to contend with the tournament’s top-seeded team, Ridgeline, who has been virtually unstoppable this season with a 16-1 record. Ridgeline enters the tournament as a heavy favorite, and their dominance in the GSL and District 6 tournaments has made them a formidable opponent for any team in the state.
The Falcons will open their state tournament run against either 16th-seeded Bishop Blanchet or 17th-seeded Bellarmine Prep, both teams looking to challenge Ridgeline’s dominance. The championship match for the 3A tournament is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, and regardless of who makes it to the final, fans can expect an exciting and intense match-up.
State Tournament Expectations
As the State 3A tournament approaches, fans can expect a weekend of high-level volleyball. The teams are well-coached, the competition is fierce, and the stakes have never been higher. Mt. Spokane is in the hunt for its second state title, but the path will not be easy. With strong teams like Ridgeline, Mead, and others looking to claim the trophy, the Wildcats will need to bring their best performance to the SunDome.
As Curtis said, “We’re ready to prove that we belong at the top. We’ve got a strong team, and we know what it takes to get there.” If Mt. Spokane can continue to peak at the right time, there’s no telling how far this talented team can go. With an experienced roster and a clear vision for success, the Wildcats are undoubtedly a team to watch in the 3A tournament.
Defending Champs Mead Look to Continue Success in 4A Tournament
While Mt. Spokane sets its sights on the 3A title, another Spokane-area school, Mead, is also making waves at the state level. After claiming the state championship in 3A last fall, Mead is now competing in the State 4A tournament. Despite a rocky start to the season, Mead has turned things around and enters the 4A tournament as the No. 14 seed.
Mead will face third-seeded Kennedy Catholic in the first round of the 4A tournament on Friday morning. The Panthers, led by coach Shawn Wilson, will need to continue their upward trajectory if they hope to replicate the success of last year’s championship campaign. The 4A championship match is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday in the SunDome.
The State 3A and 4A tournaments promise to be an exciting weekend of volleyball, with teams from across the state vying for glory. With strong performances expected from Mt. Spokane and Mead, fans are in for a thrilling ride to the state championship.
