MARYSVILLE — Both Marysville Pilchuck and Edmonds-Woodway already had state berths clinched going into Saturday night’s 3A District 1 championship game.
However, the Warriors wanted a little more.
Edmonds-Woodway held off a surprising Marysville Pilchuck team and clinched the district championship with a 25-22, 27-25, 20-25, 25-22 win over the Tomahawks at Marysville Pilchuck High School.
“Tonight’s match was a huge game for us,” said Edmonds-Woodway head coach Nicole Bordeaux. “I think that our players really took it to heart what was on the line. It’s important going into the state tournament being the top seed so you have a better placement in the bracket.”
Amanda Paavola led the way for the Warriors with 23 kills. Kelly Gootee had 52 assists and Maddie Judd added seven kills and five blocks for Edmonds-Woodway (13-4 overall), which handed Marysville Pilchuck, the No. 8 seed in districts, its first loss in the postseason tournament.
“Edmonds-Woodway, they were the last team I wanted to play. I knew how good they were,” said Marysville Pilchuck head coach Brittany Fitzmaurice. “I knew that the last seed meant we had to play (No. 1 seed) Shorewood and I would have taken that matchup over Edmonds-Woodway any day. They’re tougher than I remember at the beginning of the season. They’re getting strong.”
All four sets were contested battles. Marysville Pilchuck had a 24-18 lead in the second game, but the Warriors battled back, outscoring the Tomahawks 9-1 the rest of the way to take the set.
“I think that was a huge momentum changer for our team,” Bordeaux said.
Marysville Pilchuck (10-7) took the third set before Edmonds-Woodway closed it out with a three-point victory in the fourth.
“Throughout all of the games, both Marysville and us took the lead a couple of times and then we’d kind of lose it and fight back,” Bordeaux said. “It was definitely back-and-forth.”
Courtney Fitzmaurice (24 assists), Kendal McCoy (22 digs) and Sydney Jarvis (eight kills) led the way for the Tomahawks, who are eager for a taste of the state tournament.
“It’s so exciting. Obviously, we didn’t expect that at the beginning fo the season,” said Brittany Fitzmaurice. “Especially, with everything that’s gone on the last couple weeks and with all the tragedies the girls have had to face. They’re playing so strong. They’re just realizing right now what we can do. There’s so much more for them to learn and so much more for them to achieve.”
Like the players on Marysville Pilchuck, it will be the first trip to state for the entire Edmonds-Woodway roster. Bordeaux said the Warriors are eager to prove they can play with the state’s best.
“For all these girls, it’s their first time going to the state tournament. They’re really excited,” Bordeaux said. “They have a lot of heart and have been fighting throughout the season. I think they’re a team that’s ready to show that they can compete on any level.
At Marysville Pilchuck H.S.
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Highlights—Marysville Pilchuck: Courtney Fitzmaurice 24 assists, Kendal McCoy 22 digs, Sydney Jarvis eight kills. Edmonds-Woodway: Kelly Gootee 52 assists, Maddie Judd seven kills, five blocks, Amanda Paavola 23 kills. Records—Marysville Pilchuck 10-7 overall. Edmonds-Woodway 13-4.
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