TACOMA — Sequim finally defeated Kingston, and did so when it mattered most.
The Wolves dominated the District 2/3 consolation bracket to claim its first state volleyball berth since 2012.
Quilcene and Neah Bay also advanced to state from the Class 1B Tri-District tournament.
Sequim will open the Class 2A state tournament against Ellensburg at St. Martin’s University in Lacey on Friday at 11 a.m.
After opening districts with a 3-0 loss to Franklin Pierce, the Wolves swept Sammamish and beat Foster 3-1 to set up a winner-to-state, loser-eliminated match against Kingston on Saturday night.
The Buccaneers defeated Sequim twice during the regular season, both times by 3-1 scores. But in Saturday’s do-or-die situation, the Wolves flipped the script and won in four sets 25-21, 12-25, 25-23, 25-23.
White River claimed the District 2/3 championship by defeating North
Kitsap 3-2.
1B Tri-District
DES MOINES — Quilcene fell in the Tri-District semifinals with a 3-1 loss to Mount Vernon Christian before finishing the tournament with a three-game sweep of host Evergreen Lutheran on Saturday.
The Rangers will open their quest for a third straight state trophy Friday at the SunDome in Yakima. They open against defending state champion Pomeroy at 9:45 a.m.
Quilcene placed sixth in 2014 and eighth in 2013.
Neah Bay earned its second consecutive state bid by beating Lopez on Saturday. The Red Devils then fell in the seeding match against Providence Classical Christian 3-1.
Neah Bay opens state against Sunnyside Christian, the same team the Red Devils lost to 3-0 in last year’s state opener.
Christian Faith, Quilcene’s SeaTac League nemesis, went on to win the Tri-District championship.