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2A Prep Volleyball: Mark Morris’ miracle run ends at State
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2A Prep Volleyball: Mark Morris’ miracle run ends at State

Queen’s Court — Monarchs accomplish goals, frustrate foes in season to remember

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Blast Zone Media
Nov 17, 2024
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2A Prep Volleyball: Mark Morris’ miracle run ends at State
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Mark Morris’ Alena Anderson (11) and Aela McNeilly (12) set a block during a state tournament match against Washington, Friday, Nov. 15, at the Yakaima SunDome. — Candy Durgeloh / Durgeloh Photography

Jordan Nailon / blastzonenews@gmail.com

The natural tendency for some folks after a stinging set of season-ending losses would be to turn away from the sport, even if just for a little while, until the the edge has receded a bit and the glare of disappointment is not so bright on the eyes.

So 24-hours after being eliminated from the State Volleyball Tournament what was Mark Morris coach Carmen Hewitt doing? She was watching the 2A championship game between Columbia River and Ellensburg and preparing to coach another season of club volleyball..

Apparently there is no rest for the weary.

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And as Hewitt watched the team that got the best of her in the opening round at State fall in five sets to the 2A Greater St. Helens League champs who thumped everyone they saw this season, she was able to muster some perspective for her Monarchs. Sure, they weren’t playing on the final day of the season, but they’d put themselves in a position to tussle with the best of the best time and time again. And that’s just about all a coach can ask for from their team.

“We knew what we were walking into,” Hewitt said while reflecting back on the sweep her team suffered at the hands of No. 1 ranked Ellensburg in the opening round on Friday, “They’re all over six-four, so what are you going to do?”

Well, except for Columbia River, it turns out nobody could figure out what to do.

The Monarchs fell by scores of 25-5, 25-8 and 25-12 to Ellensburg to open their day at the Yakima SunDome, but tried with all their might to not let it ruin their final road trip of the season.

Mark Morris’ Analize Birrueta gets low for a pass while libero Lexi Gunter keeps a close eye on the play during a state tournament match on Friday, Nov. 15, at the Yakima SunDome. — Candy Durgeloh / Durgeloh Photography

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