2014
What A Run
Like a lot of years, the 2014 team faced the proposition of making a run at things without their heart and soul. Alysanne Van Dyke "aka" AVD had become the leader of the team and the example of KING's VOLLEYBALL by the way that she poured ever ounce of herself into every practice and competition. AVD would leave a legacy but also an opening at Outside Hitter and team leader.
The 2014 team was young but full of promise with a dynamic senior setter in Rachel Morinaga, a healthy and ready-to-go athletic senior outside hitter, Hannah Green as well as a sophomore libero, Anna Hoff. The team also boasted a sister-act that would take center-stage. The Hanson sisters were only part-time volleyball players but very talented. Savanna, the senior middle and Daylee, a junior Outside. Junior Sydney Gaenz brought the thunder again as opposite while the other middle position would see Hannah Graetzer, Morgan Grimm and eventually, Carlyn Hawkinson fill the role. Key role players included defensive specialists Pauli LaSorella and Elizabeth Johnson.
The year would begin well with six consecutive wins in conference play leading everyone to believe the Knights would roll again. However, new conference entrant, Cedar Park Christian would hand the Knights their first conference loss in over 4 years and 2 weeks later, South Whidbey would upset the Knights at home for the first home loss since 2009. Another loss to Cedar Park in the conference finale meant the Knights would finish conference play with 3 losses and a 2nd place finish overall. Not exactly a great way to begin post-season play.
King's would lose the District title a week later to Lynden Christian and would have to survive two loser-outs at bi-districts just to qualify for an 11th straight appearance in the state tournament. The Knights would stumble out of the gates at state with an opening round first set loss to King's Way Christian. The loss would challenge the Knights composure in a huge way. Losing another opening round at state would be devastating as the program standards almost require better and after 2013's disappointment, the team had to dig deep. Fortunately the Knights would find a rhythm and survive to advance to the quarter-finals where Granger was waiting. A sweep of Granger would set-up a semi-final showdown with conference foe, Cedar Park. After two regular season losses to Cedar Park, the Knights found themselves in a relatively uncommon position as underdogs. The Knights would once again drop the first set but respond to tie things up at 1-1 in set 2. Cedar Park would jump ahead claiming the 3rd set and with their backs against the wall, the Knights found a togetherness and sheer will beyond anything they had demonstrated all year. King's would tie the match at 2-2 with a 25-18 resounding performance to set-up another climatic 5th set in the semis and the first since 2011. After a see-saw beginning to the 5th set, things would begin to go King's way with 6-4 turning to 9-4, 11-5 and ultimately a 15-6 final set victory over a shocked Cedar Park and the first appearance in the state final since 2010! Although King's would lose to Lynden Christian 0-3 in the final, the unlikely run would make the season and team memorable. 2nd in state with 5 losses on the year, a wild ride!
The 2014 team was young but full of promise with a dynamic senior setter in Rachel Morinaga, a healthy and ready-to-go athletic senior outside hitter, Hannah Green as well as a sophomore libero, Anna Hoff. The team also boasted a sister-act that would take center-stage. The Hanson sisters were only part-time volleyball players but very talented. Savanna, the senior middle and Daylee, a junior Outside. Junior Sydney Gaenz brought the thunder again as opposite while the other middle position would see Hannah Graetzer, Morgan Grimm and eventually, Carlyn Hawkinson fill the role. Key role players included defensive specialists Pauli LaSorella and Elizabeth Johnson.
The year would begin well with six consecutive wins in conference play leading everyone to believe the Knights would roll again. However, new conference entrant, Cedar Park Christian would hand the Knights their first conference loss in over 4 years and 2 weeks later, South Whidbey would upset the Knights at home for the first home loss since 2009. Another loss to Cedar Park in the conference finale meant the Knights would finish conference play with 3 losses and a 2nd place finish overall. Not exactly a great way to begin post-season play.
King's would lose the District title a week later to Lynden Christian and would have to survive two loser-outs at bi-districts just to qualify for an 11th straight appearance in the state tournament. The Knights would stumble out of the gates at state with an opening round first set loss to King's Way Christian. The loss would challenge the Knights composure in a huge way. Losing another opening round at state would be devastating as the program standards almost require better and after 2013's disappointment, the team had to dig deep. Fortunately the Knights would find a rhythm and survive to advance to the quarter-finals where Granger was waiting. A sweep of Granger would set-up a semi-final showdown with conference foe, Cedar Park. After two regular season losses to Cedar Park, the Knights found themselves in a relatively uncommon position as underdogs. The Knights would once again drop the first set but respond to tie things up at 1-1 in set 2. Cedar Park would jump ahead claiming the 3rd set and with their backs against the wall, the Knights found a togetherness and sheer will beyond anything they had demonstrated all year. King's would tie the match at 2-2 with a 25-18 resounding performance to set-up another climatic 5th set in the semis and the first since 2011. After a see-saw beginning to the 5th set, things would begin to go King's way with 6-4 turning to 9-4, 11-5 and ultimately a 15-6 final set victory over a shocked Cedar Park and the first appearance in the state final since 2010! Although King's would lose to Lynden Christian 0-3 in the final, the unlikely run would make the season and team memorable. 2nd in state with 5 losses on the year, a wild ride!
2014 Senior Class
Carlyn Hawkinson
Savanna Hanson
Paulina LaSorella
Rachel Morinaga
Hannah Green
Savanna Hanson
Paulina LaSorella
Rachel Morinaga
Hannah Green