Cardinals Advance to Semifinals with 4-Set Win Over Treasure Valley at NWAC Volleyball Championship

LAKEWOOD, Wash. – The Skagit Valley Cardinals advanced to the semifinals with a four-set victory (25-19, 25-20, 23-25, 25-18) over Treasure Valley Friday night in the Elite Eight of the 2024 NWAC Volleyball Championship at Pierce College.

The Cardinals won the first two sets comfortably by at least five points before Treasure Valley won a close third set 25-23. The Cardinals were able to collect themselves in set four, winning 25-18 to advance on in the tournament.

This marks the first time for Skagit Valley to reach the semifinals since 2021 when they finished as runners-up to Linn-Benton.

Hayden Claeys ran the offense for the Cardinals, posting 48 assists as the team hit .208 for the match with 55 kills. Three Cardinals reached double-digit kills led by Sarah Cook's 14, followed by Tanna Kollen and Madisyn Butenschoen with 12 each.

Butenschoen also led the team with 20 digs, while Cook had 17 and Makena Maldonado posted 16. The Cardinals had an 8-3 advantage in blocks as Bailey Roggen and Emily Miller each had four.

The Chukars struggled to find consistent hitting throughout the match, posting 45 kills to 30 errors. Katelyn Markley led the team with 13 kills, also adding 19 digs. Karly Clark had 21 digs and Naomi Shipley finished with 34 assists.

Treasure Valley finishes a resurgent season with a 24-6 overall record, finishing second in the East Region and winning the West Regional.

Skagit Valley moves onto the semifinals and will play the winner of Columbia Basin and Edmonds on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Pierce College.

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