Tonasket freshman Devan Utt jumps up in the air to knock the ball back to Okanogan during Tonasket’s final home game of the season. Tonasket lost in three sets of 25-13, 26-24 and 25-16. Photo by Emily Hanson

CASHMERE – The Tonasket volleyball team lost their final three games during their last weeks of the season.

Before the losses, the team competed at the Ephrata Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 17.

“Tonasket sent three teams to Ephrata and a good time was had by all,” Nellie Kirk, head coach, said. “The tournament gave us a great opportunity to play at least four different teams with two, 15 point games each match. Tonasket ended with the best record and played in the final match with Othello. We lost one game to two. It was a very close match and well played by all.”

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, Tonasket played their final home game against Okanogan, losing in three sets of 25-13, 26-24 and 25-16. April Webber served nine of nine with two kills, Jayden Hawkins served eight of nine with one kill, Maribella Alvarez served six of six with one kill and Amber Kilpatrick served nine of nine with one kill.

“We started the match a little cold,” Kirk said. “We just could not get anything going. The second game we started playing. Our serves were good, we were able to pass the ball to the setter and made good offensive plays keeping Okanogan from running their offense. We were able to get back into the game after Okanogan went ahead. We just lot the last couple of points. Such is volleyball.”

Webber said the team had good moments throughout the season, but the loss wasn’t the way she wanted to go out.

“I think for being such a young team, we did okay this season,” she said.

On Thursday, Oct. 22, the Tigers traveled to Omak where they won the first set 25-17, lost the second 25-8, won the first 25-21 and lost the last two sets 25-13 and 15-11. Webber served 24 or 25 with two aces and four kills, Amber Kilpatrick served 13 of 13 with two aces and two kills, Hawkins served 11 of 12 with five kills and Jessica Rhoads served 10 of 11 with four kills.

“This was a very close match,” Kirk said. “The girls were very disappointed that we didn’t pull it off. They played well at times, but we always seemed to let the Omak girls get right back into the game. There were too many mistakes.”

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, the Tigers played their final game away against Cashmere where they lost in three sets of 25-12, 25-18 and 25-11. Webber served nine of 11 serves with two kills, Rhoads served 10 of 12 serves with five aces and three kills and Taylor Ayers served six of seven with two kills.

“Our win/loss record may not have been what we would have hoped, but the girls did become better players,” Kirk said. “They improved their skills, they developed friendships, they learned to work through adversity and above all, they became better teammates. I know I am better for having been their coach because they really have been great players to work with.”

The Tigers (1-13) had their banquet on Tuesday, Nov. 10 in the Tonasket High School commons.