Monroe beats Lake Stevens, wins 4A Wesco North title

MONROE — Don’t tell the Monroe Bearcats volleyball team that they aren’t a favorite.

The Bearcats may have lost All-Wesco setter and hitter Kendal Munoz to graduation after last season. And they may have been an afterthought of many to win the Wesco North going into this season. After all, Snohomish’s Lanesha Reagan is one of the best players in the state and one of the reasons why the coaches picked the Panthers as the favorite to win the 4A Wesco North this season.

But on Monday night, it wasn’t the Panthers with a chance to stay unbeaten in league and secure the Wesco North championship, it was the Bearcats — and they seized the opportunity.

The Bearcats needed a victory over the Lake Stevens Vikings to clinch the title. They jumped on the Vikings early, fought through adversity in the second and third set, and finally put the Vikings away in the fourth set to win 3-1 by set scores of 25-13, 24-26, 27-25 and 25-19.

“It means a lot,” Monroe hitter Melina Seabrook said. “We had lost it (the Wesco North title) for a couple of years, but now we got it back. So, we are happy and we hope we can continue on.”

It was the Bearcats’ second victory over the Vikings this season. In both victories they overwhelmed the Vikings in the first set. Munoz offered her explanation of the Bearcats’ fast starts.

“We are really focusing on our serve-receive game and controlling the ball and allowing the other team to make the mistake,” Monroe head coach April Munoz said. “As opposed to being the power team, we want to be the control team. We are a little smaller than we have been in the past, so that’ where our game base is right now.”

On the other side, Lake Stevens head coach Amy Wiklund didn’t know why her team has struggled early in the matches against Monroe.

“It’s kind of been a theme this season,” Wiklund said. “I don’t know, I don’t know what’s going on with them. They just get a little bit behind and can’t get their heads out of it and it takes a fresh start for them to pull through on some of those.”

It was clear that whatever had bothered the Vikings in the first set was forgotten in the second. The Vikings held a lead for nearly the entire set and looked all but certain to even the match at a set a piece with a 19-14 lead. But the Vikings weren’t the only team that was mentally tough. Monroe stormed back, scoring 10 of the next 12 points to take a 24-21 lead.

But the Bearcats couldn’t hold the lead. Lake Stevens scored the final five points of the set to win 26-24 and even the match.

The third set was just as close, but this time the difference was Seabrook who lifted the Bearcats in more ways than one.

“She plays with so much heart,” Munoz said. “She is an excellent athlete, but she has twice as much heart as she does athleticism. She just gives everything she’s got and she wants it so bad that it just spills out into everybody else.”

Seabrook finished the match with 18 kills and 13 digs. Her teammate DD Latimore added 52 assists and Jannae Groeneweg had 16 digs.

As the third set winner often does in matches that were tied 1-1, the Bearcats went thwarted off any thoughts of a Lake Stevens comeback in the fourth set, winning 25-19 to take the match.

Wiklund saw the third set as a momentum changer.

“I would have loved to have gone into that fifth game for sure,” Wiklund said. “I think the kids were ready to beat Monroe. They would have liked to have had a better match against them, but this was definitely a better match than last time. So I think they have redeemed themselves in that. But yeah, a third (set) would have been great because I think it would have been tight.”

McKayla Huntley led the Vikings with seven blocks and six kills and Kahlia Kelliher added nine kills.

At Monroe H.S.

Lake Stevens13262519—1

Monroe25242725—3

Highlights—Lake Stevens: McKayla Huntley 7 blocks, 6 kills; Kahlia Kelliher 9 kills. Monroe: Melina Seabrook 18 kills, 13 digs; DD Latimore 52 assists; Jannae Groeneweg 16 digs. Records—Lake Stevens 5-3 league, 10-4 overall. Monroe 7-0, 11-2.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.