When asked about her team’s chances at state, Camas volleyball coach Julie Nidick could only say her Papermakers are battle-tested.
After losing in a tough five-set battle in the 3A district championship match to Prairie on Tuesday, the Papermakers came back to win four matches at the 3A bi-district tournament and capture the championship.
Three of those wins at the bi-district came against ranked teams — No. 9, Capital, No. 5 Auburn Mountainview and No. 4 Prairie.
“That’s the one thing I like about (the bi-district) tournament: the competition,” Nidick said. “All six of the teams that advanced out of that tournament are quality teams.”
That includes two from the 3A Greater St. Helens League as Camas and Prairie played for bi-district championship.
Next is the 3A state tournament, which begins Friday morning at St. Martin’s University in Lacey, just two hours up Interstate 5 from Vancouver.
Camas will open against Kennewick at 8 a.m. Friday. Camas’ half of the bracket includes No. 2 Mount Spokane, No. 6 Meadowdale and No. 7 Mount Si.
Prairie faces Bainbridge at 9:45 a.m. A quarterfinal match with No. 3 Seattle Prep looms as a possibility. No. 1 West Valley of Yakima and Auburn Mountainview also are in the Falcons’ bracket.
At the 1A state tournament at the Yakima SunDome, Ridgefield opens against No. 5 Lynden Christian at 8 a.m. In the 1B state tournament, also at the SunDome, King’s Way Christian faces Crescent of Joyce at 9:45 a.m. Seton Catholic meets Neah Bay at 1:30 p.m. Seton’s half of the bracket includes No. 1 Christian Faith, No. 2 Tekoa-Oakesdale, No. 3 Moses Lake Christian and No. 4 Almira-Coulee-Hartline.
Postseason pairings have been set for local football and girls soccer teams, although some times, dates and sites won’t be finalized until Monday.
FOOTBALL: Camas will open the 3A state playoffs against Kennedy of Burien at 7 p.m. Friday at Doc Harris Stadium.
Mountain View will travel to No. 2 Lakes for a 7 p.m. Friday at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood.
Union plays Kentlake in a 4A first-round game at 6 p.m. Friday at French Field in Kent. Skyview will play Kentwood at Kiggins Bowl on Friday or Saturday. The game time will be set on Monday.
La Center plays Cascade Christian in the 1A playoffs at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sunset Chev Stadium.
GIRLS SOCCER: Camas, ranked 10th by the Seattle Times, opens the 3A state tournament against Shorecrest of Shoreline at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Doc Harris Stadium. Columbia River will open at No. 4 Liberty of Issaquah on Tuesday or Wednesday. That game time will be set Monday.
Hockinson travels to Sumner for a 7 p.m. 2A state tournament match on Tuesday at Sunset Chev Stadium.
In the 1A state tournament, Ridgefield will play Lynden Christian on Tuesday or Wednesday, likely at Battle Ground’s District Stadium, while La Center travels to play University Prep of Seattle on Tuesday or Wednesday. Both game times will be set Monday.
