BREMERTON — Olympic nudged Port Angeles 3-2 in a hotly contested Olympic League volleyball playoff match.
The Roughriders came charging back after dropping the first two games to win the next two to force a fifth and deciding game.
The Trojans, who claimed fourth place in the Olympic League, won that final game 17-15 to advance to the league seeding tournament while the Riders, fifth in league, next play at the West Central District tournament Friday and Saturday at Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma as the league’s No. 5 seed.
Port Angeles will open against the No. 4 South Puget Sound team at 5 p.m. on Friday.
In the league playoffs Thursday at Olympic, the Trojans beat the Riders 25-20, 25-16, 15-25, 26-28, 17-15.
“The entire team played with the greatest energy and excitement they have played all season,” Port Angeles coach Christine Halberg said.
“I am very proud of the girls for working so hard.
“Even in Games 1 and 2 where we lost, we never got down and we were persistent and kept working. We kept our energy up the whole time.”
Mistakes hurt the Riders in the first two games.
“We struggled in the first two games with our errors, and being inconsistent,” Halberg said.
“It seemed like we would just get on their tails, and then commit an unforced error.”
Port Angeles took it to the Trojans in the third game with the blowout.
“In Game 3, we came out strong and determined and took them off guard, beating them by the biggest margin of the night,” Halberg said.
“In Game 4 we were ahead in the beginning but errors allowed Olympic back in the game.
“It was fun and exciting to play, coach and watch.
“Game 5 was neck and neck to point 11. We had our chances to win; it was in our hands and just came up slightly short.
“The match was a great experience all around for every girl — many lessons of teamwork, the power of excitement and persistence, and mental toughness.”
Still, the Riders took the playoff loss hard.
“Because we worked so hard to come back after losing Games 1 and 2, the match loss was tough for us to swallow but I am proud of [our team] and in my eyes, it was a win for us,” Halberg said.
Bailee Jones had another strong match at the net with 12 kills, four blocks, and in addition she served 10 of 10, and had five digs.
Madison Hinrichs had a team-high 21 digs, served 27 of 30 with four aces, and she had one kill.
In other highlights, Kendra Harvey earned 16 digs and she served 14 of 15 with two aces, and had four kills at the net while Holli Williams had 17 assists, 13 digs, three aces and a kill.
Brittany Norberg had six kills for the Riders, and she served 11 of 12, and earned three digs.
Port Townsend 3
Chimacum 0
PORT TOWNSEND — The Redskins saved their best for last with a dominant performance against the rival Cowboys, winning 25-9, 25-17, 25-6.
“That game was a great way to end our season,” Port Townsend coach Nettie Hawkins said.
“All of my girls played their roles the way they were supposed to. Their all-around game was the best they had all season.”
The Redskins received strong performances from a handful of players.
Abby McGuire notched 15 assists, 12 digs and six kills; Megan Juran had two aces, four digs and two blocks; Trish Reeves had four kills, four aces and three digs; and Codi Hallinan had seven kills, three aces and two blocks.
Rio Golden had five kills and four digs; Megan Lee had nine digs, Addi Richert had two kills and a block; Avery Selisch had six digs; and Baili Shaw contributed four assists and three digs.
As a team, Port Townsend served 92 percent.
After the Redskins halted a losing streak that spanned more than two years earlier this season, Hawkins is excited about what the future holds.
“The girls worked very hard this season to pull out three more wins than we have had in a long time, and that shows a lot of improvement,” Hawkins said.
“[I’m] looking forward to the next two years to see them become an even better team.”
Forks 3, Elma 0
FORKS — Forks’ seniors went out in style by beating Elma in three games on senior night Thursday in SWL-Evergreen play.
The Spartans beat the Eagles by scores of 25-18, 25-21, 25-12.
Jillian Raben served one ace and had four kills and 15 assists for Forks.
Sydney Christensen was prolific with her serve, tallying six aces. She also had three kills.
Casey Williams had 10 kills to go along with an ace and a block.
Also for the Spartans, Alissa Shaw had an ace, three kills and two assists, Karlee Hansen notched one ace and a trio of kills and Erin Weekes contributed two kills and one ace.
Forks will play in the district tournament starting Wednesday.
Girls Soccer
Kingston 4,
Sequim 0
KINGSTON — The Buccaneers scored three goals in the first half to hold off the Wolves in an Olympic League playoff game Thursday night.
Kingston, 8-8, advanced to the league seeding tournament while Sequim, No. 5 seed, now will compete in a West Central District play-in game against the South Puget Sound No. 4 team Wednesday, site and time to be announced.
Rebecca Tafte, Emily Vernik, Britney Seeley and Sarah Fick all scored a goal each for Kingston against Sequim, while Kelly Nash dished out two assists.
Boys Tennis
PA at districts
BREMERTON — The Roughrider duo of Michael and Marcus Konopaski continued its winning ways, this time in the early rounds at the 2A West Central District Tennis Tournament at the Bremerton Athletic Club on Friday.
The Konopaskis were undefeated during the regular season and won the Olympic League doubles crown two weeks ago.
They were awarded the No. 2 overall seed at the 12-team district tournament, and had a bye in the first round.
The pair played against the top team from Foster High School in the second round and won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1.
Their victory against Foster ensured the Rider duo a spot at the state tournament in May at the Nordstrom Center on the campus of the University of Washington.
“I’ve had the honor of coaching Marcus and Michael for four years, and we set some pretty lofty goals for this season,” Port Angeles coach Brian Gundersen said.
“They have exceeded those goals in every way.”
The Konopaskis continued district play Saturday.