By Matt Phelps
Last year the Mercer Island High School volleyball team qualified for the second day of the state meet and placed eighth overall during the tournament. The accomplishment fulfilled a five year goal by the program and players. Just two starters returned from that senior dominated team for the 2005 campaign.
Despite starting three sophomores, a freshman and only two returning seniors starters the Islanders came within one match of equaling last season’s accomplishments.
“It is huge that we got to state,” said Mercer Island High School head volleyball coach Dino Annest. “We have eight coming back next year but we will miss the seniors.”
But making it to the second day proved to be a strong challenge as the Islanders drew a hot Shorecrest team and previously undefeated Kennedy.
Mercer Island vs. Kennedy (consolation)
After losing to Shorecrest the Islanders had to find a way to get back into a winning state of mind. But Kennedy was a big test of Islander pride and athleticism as the Lancers came into state undefeated 14-0 and had just lost their first match of the year. Mercer Island was ready for a battle and they got one from the start. A tight 25-22 victory during the first game demoralized the Lancers. Mercer Island positioned itself to take a big lead as the team took the second game in dominating fashion 25-14. But Kennedy showed why they were undefeated up until the state tournament with a 25-17 win during the third game to stay alive. The Islanders knew that they had to put away the Lancers before the fifth game and did just that with a 25-17 win to advance to the second day of state.
“We played really well against Kennedy,” said Annest. “We lost to them at a tournament earlier this year 3-2 so this was a nice win to get.”
Islander Gillian Page led the team with 16 kills during the match and Abby Trimble added 14 kills and six blocks. Islander Janelle Chow finished the match with 16 digs and five aces.
Mercer Island vs. Shorecrest (first round)
Against the Shorecrest Scots, Mercer Island could not avoid their opponent’s ability to make a run late.
During the first game the teams battled and stayed within three points of each other most of the time, despite the fact that the Islanders only lead was at 1-0. With the score 16-14, the Scots put on one of the biggest runs of the game, four points. Mercer Island never recovered, losing 25-17.
The Islanders came out strong during the second game and held a 4-2 lead, but fell behind by three. Abby Trimble came up big for Mercer Island with a block and kill during an 8-1 run that the Islanders a 17-14 lead late. But the Scots came back to tie the game at 21-21. Islander Gillian Page crushed a ball to the back line of Shorecrest tying the score, again at 23-23 but Shorecrest would hold on for the 25-23 win.
The Scots completed the sweep with a 25-17 victory as the stunned Islanders stepped off the court to regroup for a match with Kennedy High School in the consolation round.
“We just didn’t play our game,” said Annest.
Mercer Island vs. Anacortes
The Islanders drew the Seahawks of Anacortes during the consolation quarterfinal. The winner would be guaranteed placing at state but the Islanders came out flat with a 25-9 loss. In a surprise turnaround the Islanders came back during the second game to pull out a 25-20 victory and tie the match at one game apiece.
The Seahawks ended Mercer Island’s run with 25-18 and 25-15 third and fourth game victories.
“They were really consistent,” said Annest. “We got into it in the second game and won handily but I think they had some seniority over us.”
Season
The Islanders’ accomplishments this season were many for a young team. Mercer Island had just three losses during in-league play this year, once to the state’s seventh place Newport Knights, and twice to defending state champions Issaquah. Mercer Island defeated the Knights this season at Newport and came with an eyelash of beating the Eagles during their final meeting of the regular season. During both the 3A KingCo and district tournaments Mercer Island took second only to Issaquah, which they tpushed it to five games during the district finals and lost in a 17-15 tie breaker.
Mercer Island seniors Page, Juergens, Allie Trimpe and Christine Rasmussen finish their Mercer Island High School volleyball careers with two consecutive trips to the second day of the state tournament.
“They were incredible leaders and they played their guts out at every level,” said Annest. “The girls we have coming back have state experience and you can’t measure that.”
