Skagit Valley Defense Stymies CBC in 4 Sets to Advance to NWAC Finals

LAKEWOOD, Wash. – The Skagit Valley Cardinals are returning to the finals, defeating Columbia Basin in four sets (26-24, 19-25, 25-19, 25-21) in the semifinals of the 2024 NWAC Volleyball Championship on Saturday night at Pierce College.

The Cardinals return to the NWAC finals after last finishing in second place in 2022. They also played Linn-Benton that season as they look to win their first title in program history. They have finished as runners-up twice.

Skagit Valley used late runs in the first, third and fourth sets to overcome CBC. The first set was a huge turning point as the Hawks led 24-21, but after a timeout, the Cardinals won five-straight points to take the set 26-24.

After CBC won set two, the Cardinals jumped back in front in the match with a 25-19 win in set three. The third set was back-and-forth for most of the way with CBC leading narrowly 18-17. The Cardinals once again came on late with eight of the last nine points to win by six.

Columbia Basin got off to a hot start in set four and looked like they could force a fifth set, leading 14-6. Again, the Cardinals responded with runs of five points and four points to eventually tie the score 16-16. Later tied 21-21, SVC went on another run, scoring the final four points to claim the set and the match.

The Cardinals front row made impactful plays all night with 11 total blocks, with four players with at least three. SVC hit .180 while CBC finished with a .089 hitting percentage in a defensive match.

Madisyn Butenschoen stepped up big for the Cardinals with 19 kills and 17 digs. Tanna Kollen had 15 kills and three block assists. Hayden Claeys ran the offense with 53 assists, adding 16 digs and four block assists defensively. Makena Maldonado was all over the floor with 32 digs. Bailey Roggen led all players with six total blocks while Emily Miller had five. Sarah Cook had 23 digs and nine kills.

On the CBC side, Kaylie Christopher had a strong match of 19 kills, adding 14 digs and four total blocks. Zuri Reeser had 15 kills and 18 digs. Hi'ilea Fuqua had 20 digs. Yajaira Meraz had 41 assists and 16 digs.

The Hawks will play for third place against region rival Yakima Valley on Sunday at 12 p.m. The Cardinals move onto the finals, taking on three-time defending champions Linn-Benton on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Pierce College.

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Contact: Iain Dexter; idexter@nwacsports.com