West Salem’s Kasey Campbell (2) spikes the ball against Sunset during the fourth place gameof the 6A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. West Salem lost 3-2 to place sixth.
West Salem’s Mattie Kelly (10) sets the ball gainst Sunset during the fourth place gameof the 6A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. West Salem lost 3-2 to place sixth.
West Salem’s Kasey Campbell (2) with a kill against Sunset during the fourth place gameof the 6A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. West Salem lost 3-2 to place sixth.
West Salem’s Paige Whipple (12) with a kill against Sunset during the fourth place gameof the 6A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. West Salem lost 3-2 to place sixth.
The West Salem volleyball team with their sixth place trophy after losing 3-2 against Sunset during the fourth place gameof the 6A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore.
West Salem outside hitter Paige Whipple (12) carries the sixth place trophy back to her team after losing 3-2 against Sunset during the fourth place gameof the 6A state volleyball playoffs, Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore.
HILLSBORO – When West Salem High School’s volleyball team placed sixth in the OSAA Class 6A state volleyball tournament at Liberty High School on Saturday, it was significant for two reasons.
For one, it was the first time the team placed at the state tournament since 2006, and it was the first time any team from West Salem placed in an OSAA state tournament since 2011.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” junior outside hitter Paige Whipple said. “Our biggest goal from the start of the season was to place in state and so going into that match against Sunset, we already had accomplished that goal of placing in state.
“No matter the outcome we were going to go place and so we just kind of came in, we have nothing to lose, just go for it and just have fun.”
The other thing that is significant is West Salem considers it as a step in the right direction because the Titans have no seniors.
And in going 20-5 this season, the Titans checked off a lot of accomplishments like winning their first state playoff game in 10 years and making the state tournament for the first time in a decade.
“This year was about placing in the state, next year is about winning it,” West Salem coach Katie Herber said. “And that’s really what our goal is. We knew that this year was about experience and doing the best we possibly could, and you could see it on the girls’ faces, it was hard for them.
“Now they know what it’s like, now they’ve been here, now they have another year of club and experience that they’re going to apply to it.”
In Saturday’s consolation semifinals, West Salem defeated Lakeridge 20-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-13 behind 30 kills by Whipple and 11 kills by Kasey Campbell.
In the fourth place match, West Salem was up 2-1 in sets and was up 20-19 in the fourth set, but Sunset finished strong to win 20-25, 25-22, 21-25, 27-25, 15-13.
Whipple had 44 kills and 15 digs, Campbell had 11 kills, 12 digs and two aces and Mattie Kelly had 62 assists and two blocks.
It was a sign of inexperience on West Salem’s part that they let the fourth set and the match get away, but it was something the Titans can learn from.
“Next year our goal is going to be to win the state championship,” Whipple said. “If we can place sixth this year, why not place first next year. We’re not losing anyone.”
bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6701 or Twitter.com/bpoehler
Sunset d. West Salem 3-2
Set scores: 20-25, 25-22, 21-25, 27-25, 15-13
Kills- Paige Whipple (WS) 44; Digs- Whipple (WS) 15; Blocks- Mattie Kelly (WS) 2, Whipple (WS) 2, Delaney Smith (WS) 2, Kayla Bain (WS) 2; Assists- Kelly (WS) 62; Aces- Kasey Campbell (WS) 2.
West Salem d. Lakeridge 3-1
Set scores: 20-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-13
Kills- Whipple (WS) 30; Digs- Whipple (WS) 15; Blocks- Bain (WS) 3; Assists- Kelly (WS) 44; Aces- Campbell (WS) 3.