Wolves seek state playoff berth

Sequim splits final league games, takes No. 2 seed to districts

The road from here gets a little bumpy.

Sequim’s Wolves are headed to districts with the Olympic League No. 2 seed, meaning they face a loser-out game in their first match, a 10 a.m. game against Eatonville (1-5 in league, 4-8 overall) Nov. 8 at the Kitsap Pavilion in Bremerton.

Eatonville has knocked

Sequim out of the district tournament the past two years.

With a win, Sequim (8-4 in league, 9-5 overall) faces Fife, the Nisqually No. 1 seed in the district semifinals at 3:15 p.m. the same day, with the winner getting an automatic state berth.

The district tourney final and consolation final – for the third seed to state – are both set for

6 p.m. on Nov. 15.

The state 2A tournament is Nov. 21-22 in Kennewick.

With their playoff seed already set, the Wolves split a pair of league games last week.

Port Townsend celebrated their soon-to-be graduates Oct. 28, but it was Sequim spoiling the Redskins’ senior night with a four-set win.

Megan Zumbuhl had 10 kills and Caitlin Pallai added nine kills as the Wolves dominated early and late, winning 25-10, 23-25, 25-21 and 25-14.

Kari Hankins had 21 assists while Diana Earl added 12 digs on defense. Ashlee Bourns was 16-of-17 serving.

It was a different story two days later in Belfair when the Wolves capped their 2008 regular season by dropping a three-set match to Olympic League champion North Mason.

The Bulldogs swept Sequim 25-10, 25-12 and 25-16 to complete a perfect season, going 12-0 in league and 13-0 overall.

Maci Hunt led North Mason with 27 assists while Danielle Cook had five aces and 14 kills.

Zumbuhl led the Wolves once again with seven kills and 12 digs and Pallai added three blocks, but Sequim was without Hankins, their starting setter, because of an illness.

Still, Sequim coach Jennie Webber said she likes her team’s chances of getting back to state, something the Wolves haven’t done since 2004.

"From what I’ve heard, we should be able to beat (Eatonville)," Webber said. "Fife usually has a good team but I have not seen them this year. If we can’t beat them, we will have to beat Washington to get into state. We are going to be very focused at practice these next two weeks and hope we can keep everyone healthy."