Bearcat volleyball team heads to State

By Kevin Johnson

Welcome back Bearcats!

Behind a second place finish at the 4A District 1 tournament the Monroe Bearcats volleyball team earned its first trip to the 4A State Tournament since 2008, when the ‘Cats made four straight appearances from 2005-2008.

After dropping the first game of the tournament to Lynnwood, the ‘Cats reeled off six straight, defeating Lynnwood, 3-1, and Kamiak, 3-0, Tuesday at Mountlake Terrace High School, earning a State Tournament berth and a trip to the 4A District 1 title game.

“This was a first time as a senior class, so (the State berth) is new for them. They can hardly contain themselves; they had tears of joy,” Monroe Head Coach April Munoz said.

Melinda Seabrook had 16 kills in both matches.

Jannae Groeneweg had 24 digs and DD Latimore had 31 assists in the match against Lynnwood.

Groeneweg had 21 digs and Latimore 50 assists against Kamiak.

Monroe faced the No. 2 team in the state in the 4A District 1 title game, losing 3-0 to the Jackson Timberwolves.

“We knew (Jackson) would be a challenge. Jackson is really heavy right now. They are very, very strong and very experienced, with great size,” Munoz said, adding that she believes Jackson is a favorite to win the 4A State title.

The Bearcats will face Camas at 3:15 p.m. on Friday in the first round of the State Tournament. Win or lose, they will play again at 8:15 p.m.

“We’ll take it one match at a time,” Munoz said of the ‘Cats strategy for the State Tournament.

The State Tournament is Friday and Saturday at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey.