Excel NW takes 19th at volleyball nationals

In its final season together, the Excel NW Volleyball Club’s top team finished 19th in the USA Volleyball Girls 18s Junior National Championship.

The tournament took place April 29 through May 1 in Milwaukee. Excel NW Rox went 2-3 in pool play, including a 25-23, 25-20 loss to eventual national champion Minnesota Select.

A tight three-set loss to Sky High Black of Illinois dropped the Rox into the Bronze Bracket, where they split a pair of matches to finish 19th.

USA Volleyball this year shifted the nationals for the 18-year-old age division to spring to increase participation by holding the tournament before high school seniors graduate.

Excel NW coach Lisa VanSickle said it worked, noting that the 18s Open brought together “the best volleyball teams we have seen gathered together to compete against one another under one roof. It was amazing to be a part of.”

Many members of this team were on the Excel Rox team that placed 16th in the age-16 nationals two years ago. This season the team was unbeaten in the the Columbia Empire Volleyball Association/Puget Sound Platinum League. The team qualified for one of 36 slots in the 18s nationals by winning the Pacific Northwest National Qualifier for the first time.

The team also earned one of four berths from the Colorado Crossroads Super Qualifier and also finished second at the Las Vegas Invitational.

All six high school seniors on the team are moving on to play college volleyball. They include Clark County players Lisa VanSickle (Oregon), Ashley Watkins (Montana), Evi Wilson (Montana State) Esti Wilson (Southern Idaho). Also moving on are Jesuit High players Nichole Peterson (San Francisco State) and Jasmine Gross (Pepperdine).

Olivia White (Skyview), Sarena Bartley (Ridgefield) and Aunica Rybar of Longview will be high school seniors.

The team was coached by Gary VanSickle and Lisa VanSickle.

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